Unofficial results of contested races in China, Vassalboro, Fairfield & Waterville (June 2024)

by Mary Grow

CHINA

At the polls on June 11, China voters approved all articles on the warrant for the annual town business meeting. A few more than 500 votes were cast; the majority of the articles received more than 350 affirmative votes.

The three least popular articles were the request for $1,184,525 for town administration, which was approved by a vote of 349 to 162; the revised sections of the Land Development Code incorporating new state laws, approved 346 to 145; and the much-discussed new Solar Energy Systems Ordinance, approved 331 to 163.

The revised Planning Board Ordinance got 396 favorable votes, with 106 voters opposed.

On a separate ballot, the RSU #18 school budget validation referendum, supporting the 2024-25 budget that RSU voters approved in May, received 328 votes, to 181 opposed (with seven blank ballots).

China’s local elections will be held Nov. 5.

VASSALBORO

Vassalboro voters voted on June 11 in local elections; on two proposed ordinance amendments; and to validate the 2024-25 school budget they had approved at their open town meeting on June 3. Town Clerk Cathy Coyne reported results as follows.

In uncontested local elections, Christopher French was re-elected to the select board with 289 votes, and Jolene Gamage was re-elected to the school board with 257 votes.

The revised solid waste ordinance was approved by a vote of 202 in favor to 88 opposed.

The revised Marijuana Business Ordinance was approved by a vote of 193 in favor to 100 opposed.

The school budget was re-approved by a vote of 217 yes to 79 no.

In the only contest on the three state primary ballots, between First District Republicans Andrew Piantidosi and Ronald Russell, Piantidosi got 104 votes and Russell 167 votes.

Coyne said 296 of Vassalboro’s more than 3,100 registered voters participated in the June 11 voting.

FAIRFIELD

by Roland D. Hallee

U.S. House of Representatives – Republican

Austin Theriualt, 189
Michael Soboleski, 96

Maine Senate District #16 – Republican

Scott Cyrway, 188
Michael D. Perkins, 115

M.S.A.D. #49 School Budget

Yes – 291
No – 199

M.S.A.D #49 School Board (2)

Maxwell N. Kenney, 370
Ryan T. Warren, 327

WATERVILLE

by Roland D. Hallee

Representative to Legislature District #64 – Democrat

Flavia M. DeBrito, 185
Andrew S. Dent, 92

Representative to Legislature District #65 – Democrat

Cassie L. Julia, 490
Bruce A.White, 280

State Senate District #16 – Republican

Scott W. Cyrway, 178
Michael D. Perkins, 136

Representative to Congress, Distcit #1 – Republican

Ronald C. Russell, 166
Andrew Piantidosi, 101

China town building issues dominate select board agenda

by Mary Grow

The China select board’s June 3 meeting was mostly spent on building-related issues. Board members totally redesigned the plan for their long-discussed storage vault at the town office, and awarded bids for other town projects.

Over the past several years, board members, building committee chairman Sheldon Goodine and others have talked about adding a fireproof vault in a small building attached to the south side of the present office on Lakeview Drive.

At their March 25 meeting, board members awarded a bid to build the addition to the lower bidder, Ralph McNaughton Construction, of Corinna, for $267,489.20.

At the board’s May 6 meeting (see the May 23 issue of The Town Line, p. 3), Goodine and select board member Blane Casey proposed a different plan: convert part of the large garage behind the old town office into dry storage; move some of the papers from the back storage area in the town office building to the garage; and move miscellaneous items from the present fireproof storage area off the town office’s meeting room to make more space there.

Goodine prepared a draft plan for the garage before the May 20 board meeting, but wasn’t able to be there to discuss it.

At the June 3 meeting, he pointed out how much money the town is likely to save if this plan works. After inspecting the garage, board members voted to ask McNaughton and engineer Keith Whittaker, of B. R. Smith Associates, of Presque Isle, to make their own inspections.

Goodine was honored with a Spirit of America award on May 20, “for leadership in China’s Golden Agers senior program and service to the South China church, library, Masons and American Legion.” On June 3, Casey added Goodine’s 65 years with the South China Volunteer Fire Department.

Board members awarded the 2024 roadside mowing contract to Pierce Works, LLC, of China, for $10,300 for two mowings, plus $4,280 for roadside brush-cutting. Mileage is listed as 47.29 miles. Hapgood said the company has had the contract in the past and the work has been satisfactory.

Construction bids were awarded as follows.

To install a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) water testing and water filtering system at Frank Soares’ near the China transfer station, EverClean Water & Radon Technologies, of Fairfield, $4,940, after a discussion of options with company owner Shane Reitze. State testing found Soares’ water contaminated, presumably from leachate from the closed landfill just north of the transfer station.
To reroof the barn near the town office, Williams Construction Company, of Brewer, for $16,630.
To reroof part of the town office building, again William Construction Company, for $23,560.

Williams’ figures are to be negotiated, since the company has two projects on the same site.

In other business, Hapgood read two letters. One was from someone having a new home built in China, praising the town office staff. The other was a letter of introduction from China’s new summer economic development intern, Gracie Stagnito.

The next regular China select board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening, June 17.

EVENTS: Vassalboro select board to hold public hearing

by Mary Grow

The Vassalboro select board will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 13, in the town office meeting room, to discuss allocating Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to the Vassalboro Sanitary District.

For more information, contact Town Manager Aaron Miller at 872-2826 or email amiller@vassalboro.net.

The hearing will be followed by a regular select board meeting.

VASSALBORO: Sidereal Farm approved for expansion with conditions

by Mary Grow

After a long discussion at their June 4 meeting, Vassalboro select board members unanimously approved all but one piece of an expansion plan for Sidereal Farm Brewery, at 772 Cross Hill Road. They added two conditions to the approval, based on neighbors’ concerns.

Brewery owner James D’Angelo presented a nine-item plan. The ninth part, his plan to apply for a state restaurant license, is probably not a planning board issue; the board did not act on it.

Planning Board chairman Virginia Brackett explained that Sidereal’s current state license allows preparing food outdoors only; a Department of Health and Human Services restaurant license would allow an indoor kitchen. DHS will want input from “municipal officers,” a term Brackett thinks means select board members.

D’Angelo said the first four parts of his plan involve the entrance road off Cross Hill Road. First, he said, he already has approval from the E911 emergency numbering agency to have the road named Sidereal Way, so customers will stop mistakenly turning into nearby Glidden Lane.

He asked to extend the road; to add a cul de sac to provide parking and space for recreational vehicles to turn around; and to install downward-facing LED lights.

One of the planning board conditions is that parking be prohibited along the road. Board members also proposed a traffic pattern at the end designed to minimize headlights shining toward neighbors’ houses. D’Angelo was receptive to the idea.

Board and audience members and D’Angelo had a long discussion about additional screening to block headlights. After much consultation over maps, they agreed on the second condition, a 100-foot-long, six-foot-high cedar fence in a specified place, with trees planted 10 feet apart on the inside.

Once the trees grow enough to provide screening, D’Angelo is allowed to remove the fence.

Discussion covered the exact location of the screening; whether noise and light studies D’Angelo had done were adequate; and what kinds of trees grow best in different soils and how soon they should be big enough to be a buffer.

At the brewery building, D’Angelo proposed relocating a fire pit and bocce court from the front to the rear; extending the outdoor cooking area and adding a roof and curtains so it can be used in the winter; and using one bay in a nearby garage to store equipment used in the business.

His request to extend operating hours generated another discussion. Currently, the brewery is open from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday.

D’Angelo asked to stay open until 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 8 p.m. Sunday. Board member Marianne Stevens thought the extension “as little unfair to the neighbors.” When fellow board member Dan Bradstreet interpreted the new hours as taking effect after the restaurant opens, Stevens proposed delaying a decision until that happens.

Brackett replied that longer hours would be necessary for a restaurant to be commercially viable. She disagreed when neighbor Peter Soule suggested the restaurant was getting preferential treatment.

Since Vassalboro has no zoning, Brackett said, commercial establishments can be located anywhere, and the planning board must in each case balance abutters’ needs with the needs of the business.
Board members unanimously approved the extended hours. The 11 p.m. deadline to have Sidereal’s lights off will remain.

In response to neighbors’ comments about a 24-hour light in the top of the building, D’Angelo said he will talk with employees about installing a timer that will darken the entire brewery at 11 p.m.

Neighbors Richard and Terry Dawson and Peter and MaryBeth Soule presented two main issues. First, they said, their peace and privacy have been lost, with traffic, noise, lights that shine into their houses and brewery customers who can, and do, watch them.

Second, D’Angelo failed to comply with buffering requirements on his original permit, granted in 2019. Soule said a town official, whom he did not further identify, agreed a year ago that what D’Angelo had done was inadequate.

Dawson and Soule asked what guarantee they have that this year’s buffer requirement will be met promptly and adequately.

D’Angelo offered two replies. He agreed to comply with “reasonable” planning board requirements, and did not object to any part of the board’s decision.

He defended Sidereal Farm Brewery as a valuable asset to Vassalboro. The business has a $280,000 payroll and five full-time and five part-time employees; it uses local food and local contractors and supports local charities, he said.

Before taking up the Sidereal Farm Brewery application, planning board members unanimously approved Robert and Clara Dyason’s application to add a covered porch to their existing building at 72 Branstrom Road, in the Three Mile Pond shoreland zone. The addition will be on the side away from the water, Robert Dyason said.

The next regular Vassalboro Planning Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, July 2.

Albion gold cane presented to Donna Bessey

Donna Bessey

On May 31, 2024, Donna Bessey received the Town of Albion’s Boston Post Cane, recognizing her as its oldest citizen at age 95. Albion Selectman Paul Flynn gave a brief history of the Boston Post Cane before presenting her with the cane and a plaque. Also representing the town were Selectmen Michael Gardner and Jason Dow, as well as State Senator Scott Cyrway and Town Clerk Jeannie Doore. Many friends were also present to celebrate the occasion.

Donna moved to Albion in 1949 when she married Leland Bessey. They met while attending Thomas College, in Waterville. Together, they had a successful dairy farm in Albion for many years. In addition to helping on the farm, Donna also worked in various secretarial/bookkeeping capacities in the area – for example, at North Wayne Tool Company, in Oakland, and for the District #3 Superintendent of Schools.

After selling the farm, Leland worked for the U .S. Postal Service, in Albion, and Donna continued to work in the school department. She eventually retired from H.L. Keay’s store, in Albion, in 1992. Donna and Leland enjoyed a wonderful retirement together, celebrating 74 years of marriage, until Leland’s passing in March 2024. As an avid animal lover with a great sense of humor, Donna expressed her secret to longevity as simply “Wag more, bark less”.

EVENTS: Rotary District Conference coming to Waterville June 21–23, 2024

This year Rotary District #7790 will host the three-day district conference in Waterville. The conference will bring many first-time visitors to the city, all to support District Governor Tina Chapman. Waterville supports two Rotary clubs, the Waterville Sunrise Club and the Waterville Noon Club, which is Tina’s home club.

The conference will highlight many of the community projects that local Rotary clubs and Rotary International support while highlighting all Waterville and the surrounding area has to offer. The clubs that are a part of District #7790 range from Augusta to Presque Isle, and even reaches up into Québec. The district is one of the few in the country to be bi-lingual and covers area in more than one country.

Two cultures, two languages, two countries, one Rotary District. Highlights of the conference include interactive activities that highlight our local region, tastings of a few favorite restaurants, and speakers on multiple subjects focusing mostly on mental health. Other activities include a Summer Garden party, at Colby College, a House of Friendship to meet members of other clubs, and a featured film at the Maine Film Center. This year’s theme is Hope in Action.

The keynote speaker is filmmaker and motivational speaker, Kevin Hines. Hines is a bestselling author, global public speaker, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. In the year 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness and the ability to survive pain with true resilience.

Kevin’s documentary Suicide: The Ripple Effect will be shown at the Maine Film Center, 93 Main Street, in Waterville, and is open to the public as well as his Keynote Presentation. Tickets for the film and presentation are available now on the district’s website at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50110/clubdirectory.

For more information on the Waterville Rotary clubs, the conference, or the keynote presentation visit watervillerotary.com.

Law enforcement memorial service held in Augusta

Salute by Maine State Troopers. (photo by Mark Huard)

by Mark Huard

Maine’s law enforcement members who lost their lives in the line of duty were honored on Tuesday, May 14.

The annual observance at the Maine Law Enforcement Officers Memorial was held in Augusta at the granite memorial near the State Capitol, and dedicated to the fallen officers that were killed in the line of duty.

The memorial has the names of 88 law enforcement officers, some dating back to the 1800s. Officers from across the state, families of the fallen, and other special speakers including Governor Janet Mills.

“We grieve the loss of friends, family, and neighbors taken from us through this violence. May we also pause in solemn gratitude that we need not add another name for this memorial today,” said Mills during her address. “As district attorney, as a private attorney, as your attorney general, and now as your governor, please know that I see the unexpected risks that each of you take when you report to duty every day. I see the sacrifice of your loved ones, waiting to know if you will come home safely. And I see the spirit of our fallen officers embodied in your commitment to serve our community and to keep this state the safest place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family.”

Despite all the differences fallen officers hold in their stories, Mills united them under one principle: “A principle that governed how they upheld the law, a promise to practice integrity, fairness, respect, and compassion in the 1,000 daily acts they performed on behalf of the Maine people. As they patrolled our roads, guarded our cities and towns, our woods, lakes, bays, and skies, always ready for that one urgent call that may mean the difference between life and death.”

Maine State Troopers honor their fallen comrades. (photo by Mark Huard)

Issue for June 6, 2024

Issue for June 6, 2024

Celebrating 36 years of local news

China Baptist Church gets new sunburst pediments

Several years ago the Trustees at China Baptist became aware that the smaller sunburst pediments above the front windows and the larger one above the door were in need of repair or replacement. Dwayne Bickford volunteered to take one of the smaller ones down and make a new one. I don’t think he realized the amount of work he was volunteering for, but he got it done. Then last fall he undertook removing and replicating the larger one above the door… submitted by Linda Morrell

Town News

Select board seeks ways to relieve VSD financial crunch

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members began their May 30 meeting with a discussion with Vassalboro Sanitary District trustees about ways to relieve the VSD’s financial crunch. Auditor Ron Smith, of Buxton-based RHR Smith and Company, joined the discussion virtually to offer his advice…

Residents take care of 41 of 45 articles at town meeting

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro voters at the June 3 part of the annual town meeting took care of 41 of the 45 articles in this year’s warrant. The remaining four will be decided by written ballot on Tuesday, June 11, with polls open at the town office from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m…

Voters to be presented with three ballots on June 11

CHINA – China voters will be presented with three ballots at the polls on June 11: the annual town business meeting, the school budget referendum and a choice of state primary ballots…The warrant for China’s annual town business meeting has 32 articles…

TIF members continue talks on proposed changes

CHINA – Members of China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee met May 29 to continue discussing proposed changes in China’s TIF document…

Support The Town Line: An open letter to our readers

For the past 33 years, The Town Line has pledged a mission statement to “create a vibrant rural community connecting our towns, organizations and individuals through communication, education and public dialogue.” It’s all part of The Town Line’s mission to be a positive force in our community and bring together the rural towns of central Maine by promoting better understanding of our surroundings…

Webber’s Pond comic

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)…

Skowhegan volunteer receives Commitment to Excellence pin from Girl Scouts of Maine

SKOWHEGAN – Victoria Noyes, a dedicated volunteer from Skowhegan for the Girl Scouts of Maine (GSME) within the Somerset Service Unit, recently received the Commitment to Excellence Pin for her above-and-beyond service and support of the organization this year. The Commit­ment to Excellence Pin is awarded to a volunteer who has received a board-level award and continues to serve above and beyond expectation at that scope of service…

KWD lake levels info online

CHINA – The China Lake Association has posted about monitoring China Lake levels, with historical levels, on Facebook: Kennebec Water District (KWD) recently added a China Lake water level information page to their website. You will find the current level of the lake, along with the most recent Department of Environmental Protection lake level directives. The link is: https://kennebecwater.org/water-quality/lake-level-info/.

Oakland Memorial Day parade and ceremony go on despite rain

OAKLAND – For the past three years since the pandemic, the Oakland American Legion Post #51 has directed the Annual Memorial Day parade which is one of the largest in Central Maine. Veterans lined the front of the parade to local school bands, classic cars, military vehicles, Police and Fire departments, Shriners and among many others. Each year they are looking for more to participate. Any groups are encouraged to contact the post for next year’s attendance… by Mark Huard

Carrabec High School announces top 10 seniors

NO.ANSON – Kolby Carpenter – Valedictorian, is the son of Tia Bessey and Brandon Harrington, of Anson. Kolby will be attending Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield, in their electrician’s program…

Whitefield Lions Club honors six area students

WHITEFIELD – The Whitefield Lions Club has recognized six local graduating seniors. These students will receive a $1,000 scholarship towards furthering their education. Each year the Whitefield Lions Club Scholarship Committee chooses among deserving applicants based on hard work, perseverance, leadership, community service and career goals…

Erskine Academy announces top 10 seniors in class of 2024

CHINA – Erskine Academy has announced the Class of 2024 Top Ten Seniors. Valedictorian is Aaralyn Gagnon…

Springfield College recognizes local students

CENTRAL ME – Springfield College, in Springfield, Massachusetts, has named William Banks, from Jefferson, to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the 2024 spring semester. Banks has a primary major of Physical Education. Also, Kaitlin Morrison, from Winslow, to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the 2024 spring semester. Morrison has a primary major of Communication Sci & Disorders.

SNHU announces winter 2024 honors

CENTRAL ME – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, announces the following students being named to the Winter 2024 President’s List…

Bodhi Littlefield named to Ohio Univ. dean’s list

OAKLAND – Ohio University Patton College of Education, in Athens, Ohio, student Bodhi Littlefield, of Oakland, has been named to Ohio’s Fall 2023 dean’s list.

Evelyn Withee inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

ROME – Evelyn Withee, of Rome, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Withee was initiated at the University of Maine.

Area students named to dean’s honor list at Cedarville University

CENTRAL ME – The following area students at Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio, have been named to the dean’s honor list for the Spring 2024 semester: Catherine Estes, of Sidney, Josette Gilman, of China, and Rebecca Riley, of Chelsea.

Charles Haberstock an award winner at Hamilton College

CENTRAL ME – Charles Haberstock, of Waterville, was named the recipient of The Sidney and Eleanor Wertimer Prize Scholarship in Economics at Hamilton College’s annual Class & Charter Day, held on May 7, in Clinton, New York. Established in 1950, the event combines the traditional Class Day celebrating the end of classes with a commemoration of the granting of the College’s charter on May 26, 1812…

Local happenings

EVENTS: South China library fundraiser

So.CHINA – The South China Public Library, the oldest continuously operating library in Maine, began in a private home in 1830 and moved to Village Street in 1900. In 2018, having outgrown its space, the library launched a project to build a new facility, at 27 Jones Road. Despite pandemic and supply chain delays, the new library opened in January 2024. Funding is still needed to finish and furnish the children’s room and community activity room…

EVENTS: Upcoming Vassalboro Library play in search of actors

VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro Public Library is planning to present a play as part of a library fundraiser on October 19 and 20. The play, entitled Murder by the Book, is written by Canadian playwright, Laura Teasdale, and it is inspired by the books by Louise Penny…Opportunities to join the cast of the production are open to people of all ages…

EVENTS: Washington 2024 photo contest and exhibition

WASHINGTON – In celebration of the natural beauty of Washington Maine. the Washington Lakes and Watershed Association (WLWA) is sponsoring its Fourth Annual Photo Contest and Exhibition…

EVENTS: Drawing is a skill, not magic! Classes with Connie Bellet

PALERMO – If you can hold a pencil or pen, you can draw. A lot of people say, “I can’t draw a straight line.” Well, that’s what rulers are for. Join Connie Bellet at the Palermo Community Center, on Turner Ridge Road, across from the ball field, on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, at 2 p.m., for a fun adventure in learning how to draw…

EVENTS: Gardens of Lincoln County tour returns on June 22

WISCASSET – With the great success of last year’s garden tour, Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) was inspired to seek additional private gardens to showcase. Happily, seven more homeowners have agreed to open their gardens to visitors for the 2024 Gardens of Lincoln County tour…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Program on WW&F planned in Windsor

WINDSOR – Robert Wallace and Phil Dow, of the Albion Historical Society, will provide a talk about the original WW&F (Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington) Railroad at the Windsor Historical Society, on Wednesday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m., at the Malta Room, on the Windsor Historical Society Grounds, Route 32, Windsor, Me… and many other local events!

Name that film!

Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “Worm’s gotta eat, too!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is June 6, 2024…

Obituaries

WINSLOW – Warren Maurice Poulin, 85, son of J. N. Laurier and Yvette (Ferland) Poulin, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at home. He was born October 30, 1938, the day radio announcer Orson Wells reported Earth was invaded by Martians… and remembering 16 others.

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Vassalboro – Winslow (new)

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Going north from Augusta on Route 201 on the east bank of the Kennebec River, one follows the approximate route of Massachusetts Governor William Shirley’s 1754 military road between Fort Western, in present-day Augusta, and Fort Halifax, in present-day Winslow… by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: City of Augusta

AUGUSTA HISTORY — The City of Augusta began its legal existence as part of Hallowell, and has been named Augusta since June 9, 1797. It became the state capital in 1827, and transitioned from a town to a city in 1849. It is the only municipality in this part of the Kennebec River Valley that is still on both sides of the river… by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Towns and cities’ names – Part 1

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — This series has been geographically grounded, mostly, in specific places: 12 municipalities in the central Kennebec Valley. Your writer’s next topic is how each of these got its name. As usual, there will be preliminaries, the first of which have taken up this entire introductory essay. They are a short detour along the coast and a summary of British settlement… by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Holman Francis Day

VASSALBORO HISTORY — Vassalboro native Holman Francis Day (1865 – 1935) was a well-known and prolific Maine writer. Starting as a newspaperman, he went on to write poetry and novels in verse, novels in prose, a play, non-fiction pieces and movie scripts… by Mary Grow

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 13, 2024

Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! Email your answer to townline@townline.org or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!

Previous winner: Brian Plato, China

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Several years ago – there seems to be disagreement when it was – we had an Eastern phoebe build a nest under the awning, on a cross beam that abuts against our camp. We watched as the female incubated the eggs, and my wife had the opportunity to witness the last of the chicks leave the nest…

SMALL SPACE GARDENING

by Melinda Myers | Add long-lasting beauty and pollinator appeal to your garden with this year’s Perennial Plant of the Year, Jeana garden phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’). Selected for its tall sturdy habit and fragrant dense flower heads it is a welcome addition to perennial, meadow, and pollinator gardens as well as mixed borders…

CRITTER CHATTER

by Jayne Winters | In my typical fashion, I wasn’t sure what this month’s column would be about. After Monday (May 13), however, there was no doubt in my mind. What was just another day in the life of a wildlife rehabber was special for me!…

VETERANS CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | Well, for all of you who follow Julie and me, we have returned home safe and sound. I noticed the past issue of the The Town Line, my old friend Peter Garrett was honored with a nature trail being memorialized in his name. He has always been a true nature lover and great Rotarian. He certainly deserves to be recognized for his love of Maine in all aspects…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Italian conductor Carlo Maria Giulini was born May 9, 1914, and passed away June 14, 2005. He displayed talent by the age of five on the violin, but took up the viola as an adolescent, was gainfully employed in Italian radio orchestras, and had priceless opportunities to observe an array of some of the greatest conductors of the last century…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

HEALTH | As the warmer seasons unfold, a host of allergens and irritants become more prevalent, potentially disrupting your daily life and health – especially if you have asthma and allergies. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), millions of people are affected by allergies, and understanding how to control your environment can significantly improve your quality of life during this beautiful but challenging season. Here are effective strategies and types of products that can help reduce allergens and irritants in your home…

EVENTS: Gardens of Lincoln County tour returns on June 22, 2024

With the great success of last year’s garden tour, Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA) was inspired to seek additional private gardens to showcase. Happily, seven more homeowners have agreed to open their gardens to visitors for the 2024 Gardens of Lincoln County tour.

The gardens, which are in and around the towns of Wiscasset and Nobleboro, feature woodland environments as well as sunny country gardens. Two of them have been featured in Down East magazine, and all are bound to provide elements to spark the imagination of local gardeners. One of the gardens, for example, includes a delightful potting shed made from vintage windows. A beautiful old work table stands on a brick floor, and a wrought iron chandelier provides a touch of whimsy.

Ticket holders will drive themselves to the homes between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., on Saturday, June 22. In addition to intriguing landscapes, they may observe plein air painters at their easels. There will be flower arranging demonstrations and lessons in making biochar, a horticultural supplement that holds water and nutrients for the plants.

Tickets can be purchased online for $35 at www.lincolncountyhistory.org.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Conductor: Carlo Maria Giulini

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Carlo Maria Giulini

Carlo Maria Giulini

Italian conductor Carlo Maria Giulini was born May 9, 1914, and passed away June 14, 2005. He displayed talent by the age of five on the violin, but took up the viola as an adolescent, was gainfully employed in Italian radio orchestras, and had priceless opportunities to observe an array of some of the greatest conductors of the last century – Wilhelm Furtwangler, Arturo Toscanini, Victor de Sabata, Bruno Walter – Giulini once commented that Walter had a unique gift for making each musician feel important, Fritz Reiner, and Hancock Maine’s summer resident/teacher Pierre Monteux.

Giulini was taking up conducting himself and getting a few engagements but World War II broke out and he was conscripted into the Italian army. Being a pacifist, he couldn’t bring himself to kill enemy combatants, especially alongside German soldiers, and became a deserter, going into hiding until the allies removed Mussolini from power and drove out the Germans. During the period of hiding, his face was displayed on posters all over the countryside with orders to shoot on sight.

After the war, Giulini got numerous engagements as a guest conductor, and in 1949, was rehearsing a lesser known opera by Franz Joseph Haydn at La Scala; Toscanini happened to look in, stayed for the rehearsal, and used his influence to solidify Giulini’s engagement as La Scala Music Director Victor de Sabata’s main assistant at that opera house, eventually replacing Sabata when the older man’s health failed.

In 1955, Chicago’s own arch perfectionist Fritz Reiner told his players just before he went away for the summer that the very talented young man Giulini will be conducting them for the orchestra’s outdoor festival at Ravinia and the players will be finding the young Maestro a very gifted musician.

Years later in a New York Times interview, Giulini told of meeting Reiner just once in the lobby of a Viennese hotel and having a pleasant chat for 15 minutes.

Giulini’s working methods were quite lengthy and carefully detailed but singers and musicians enjoyed working with him because he knew exactly what he was doing yet had a very pleasant supportive personality, unlike such tyrants as Reiner, Szell, Toscanini and others. He considered them colleagues and friends and that he and they were servants of the great composers – Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Verdi, Mahler and a handful of others, he being also highly selective of which piece to focus on.

For example, he conducted Tchaikovsky’s 6th or Pathetique Symphony but the 5th Symphony made him physically ill.

In 1979, I attended a concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall in which Giulini conducted the touring Los Angeles Philharmonic, of which he was music director from 1978 to 1984, in a program consisting of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and the Dvorak 7th, two works which he adored and brought something truly beautiful that Sunday afternoon. I own the three recordings he did of the Pastoral and both Dvorak 7ths and they are all good for different reasons.

Two highly recommended operas that Giulini recorded during the 1980s were Verdi’s Rigoletto and Il Trovatore, both with tenor Placido Domingo singing important roles and, even though he had a voice I didn’t usually care for, he sang with beauty and power while still in his 40s.

During roughly the same decade, Giulini refused all engagements for two to three years when his wife Marcela suffered a series of strokes and stayed home to take personal care of her until she recovered.

Many of the Maestro’s recordings can be heard via YouTube and other Internet sources.

A quote by the Maestro on working with people:

“What matters most is human contact. The great mystery of music making requires real friendship among those who work together. Every member of the orchestra knows I am with him and her in my heart.”