Obituaries, Week of May 4, 2017

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IRENE A. POTTER

WHITEFIELD––Irene Adell Potter, 82, passed away in her sleep Sunday, April 23, 2017. Irene was born on June 15 , 1934, in Readfield Depot, to Ruth and Wesley Adell.

She graduated from Kents Hill School in 1953.

Irene worked for many years at HP Hood, the Readfield Town Office, and retired from Mitchell and Davis law firm in 1997.

Irene and her husband, Jack Clarke, owned and operated Clarke Transport from the mid 1970s until the early 1990s with Jack’s untimely passing in 1981 from cancer.

Irene married Hubert Potter, her high school sweetheart, in 1999. They enjoyed many years together gardening, attending car shows and spending time with family and friends until Hubert’s passing in 2008. In her later years, Irene enjoyed watching the many birds and squirrels at her window birdfeeder, the deer, turkeys and even the ground hogs that lived on her property. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast, enjoyed knitting and watching “her shows” and loved her beautiful flower gardens, especially the garden she had planted in honor of her aunt Mildred.

Irene is survived by her son, Wayne Whitman and his wife, Kim, of Readfield; sister, Evelyn Potter, of Readfield; nieces Sandi Potter Clarke and Dale Potter Clarke; stepdaughter, Tonya Ballard and husband Tom, of Morrill; stepson, Dorian Potter; grandchildren, Laura and Justin Lamport, Jake, Sam and Hannah Whitman, Michael Ballard and Meghan Pittis; as well as two great-granddaughters.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

GERALDINE R. BRACKETT

SOUTH CHINA–––Geraldine Richardson Brackett, 92, died Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at home in South China. She was born October 7, 1924, in North Monmouth, the first of five daughters of Jesse A. and Evelyn Jordan Richardson.

Gerry graduated from North Monmouth Academy and received her B.S. degree in teaching from Farmington State Teachers College. Teaching was her passion and she touched the lives of many young people during her 47 year career.

She started teaching in a one room school house in Sandy River Plantation, taught many grades in Rangeley and Auburn and finished at Weare Baptist Christian School after her official retirement.

She married Reynold C. Brackett (Pen) on July 12, 1946, and together they had three children, Nancy, Mark and Hope. One of their greatest sorrows was the loss of Nancy too early in 1976. They resided in Rangeley until their retirement when they moved to their dream home in Henniker, New Hampshire. They were happily married for 44 years until Pen’s death in July, 1990. At 73, she built a new home she loved in Loudon, New Hampshire, where she lived until she moved to South China to be with her daughter.

Wherever Gerry lived she made wonderful lasting friendships from work, church and other organizations. She was caring and generous with her time and resources. She would offer her home for Bible studies, meals and gatherings. Many had the opportunity to taste her fabulous cooking.

She had many interests including cooking, gardening and traveling whenever she had the opportunity. She especially loved trips with family in their camper. She loved the ocean, lighthouses, loons, cardinals and flowers. Gerry had a strong faith and was very active in church activities in each community in which she lived. She was a member of the Rangeley Free Baptist church, the Weare Baptist Church and the Landmark Baptist Church, in Loudon. She volunteered for the John O. Cates van in Loudon, New Hampshire, where she made a difference by assisting with transporting local residents. She was a life-long member of the NEA & ßßMEA teachers associations. In her retirement she enjoyed the Loudon Young at Heart group and had many happy memories of their excursions and events.

Gerry was predeceased by her husband Pen; daughter Nancy Dunham; sisters, Janice Doyan, Jean Brackett and Pauline Gove.

She will be sadly missed by her son Mark and wife Anne and children Zachary, Bethany, Nancy and Taylor, of Pembroke, New Hampshire; daughter Hope and husband Nelson Pendexter, of South China, and their children, Rebecca Viola and husband Joe, of Gardiner, Katrina Herrick and husband Charlie, of Damriscotta and Crystal Scott and husband Gary, of Monmouth; grandson Cliff Dunham and wife Maghean and daughter Erin, of Topsham; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and one grand-niece; sister JoAnne Ricker, of Waterville.

A graveside service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley, on June 10 at 1:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will follow at Parkside and Main in downtown Rangeley.

DEBRA–JO JACQUES

FAIRFIELD––Debra-Jo “Deb” (Levesque) Jacques, 56, of Fairfield, passed away on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Maine­General Medical Center, in Augusta. She was born July 23, 1960, in Waterville, the daughter of David and Lillian (Lagueux) Levesque.

She owned and operated her own business for 10 years, Tweetie’s Nest Day Care, as she loved kids.

Deb loved the outdoors and going camping and fishing with her husband, siblings, and friends. She loved people and would always make herself available to them in times of need. Deb was a great cook and loved to make special dishes for her husband and family.

She was predeceased by her father, David Levesque; father-in-law, Richard Jacques; and mother-in-law, Germaine (Michaud) Jacques.

Deb is survived by her husband of 21 years, Mark Jacques, of Fairfield; two sons, Alex Jacques, of Fairfield, and David Fredette, of St. Lucie, Florida; daughter, Heather Boccella, of Austin, Texas; several grandchildren; mother, Lillian (Lagueux) Levesque, of Ft. Meyers, Florida; sisters, Rhonda Levesque, of Fairfield, and Lori (Levesque) Perry and husband Dick, of Estero, Florida; brother Mark Levesque and wife Chantal, of Scarborough; five brothers-in-law, Stewart Jacques and wife Elaine, of Sidney, David Jacques and wife Patricia, of Sidney, Dan Jacques, of Waterville, Raymond Jacques and wife Vicki, of Waterville, and Patrick Jacques and wife Lisa, of Sidney; sister-in-law Paula Dennis and partner Dan McNeal, of Waterville; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Waterville Homeless Shelter, 19 Colby Street, Waterville ME 04901.­

OTHERS DEPARTED

ELIZABETH J. NICKERSON, 78, of Clinton, passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Glenridge Living Long Term Care Facility, in Augusta. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Lorraine Main and husband Larry, and stepson Frank Nickerson and wife Trina, all of Fairfield.

WILLIAM P. ROUNDS, 78, of New Bern, South Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, April 27, 2017. Locally, he is survived by a sister, Mary Lee Rounds and husband Charles, of Albion.

CORRECTION: Zumba-thon

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In the caption under the Zumba-thon photo on page 6 of the April 27, 2017, issue of The Town Line, it should have stated the Zumba-thon is annually sponsored by the Madison American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39. It was an editing error

CHINA NEWS: Expanded internet service debated

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by Mary Grow

At their May 1 meeting China selectmen made progress on two of three ongoing issues.

The most complicated – and potentially expensive – is the question of expanding and improving internet access for China residents. Robert O’Connor, for the Broadband Committee, outlined three alternatives:

  • Fairpoint, which currently offers comparatively slow service and would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to upgrade and millions of dollars to provide house-to-house fiber connections.
  • Redzone wireless, which would cost at least $250,000 to add towers to cover the whole town, plus monthly fees, and would require a minimum of 500 subscribers.
  • Spectrum/Time Warner, which currently covers 88 percent of China’s homes and would need an estimated $364,000 to add the remaining 12 percent, and whose monthly charges under the new ownership have increased dramatically, two selectmen said.

Selectmen had no advice for committee members, who intend to continue discussion with all three providers. They did act on a related issue, reviving the unsuccessful 2014 application for a ConnectMe grant to fill in a gap on Route 3 between Windsor Road and Alder Park Road.

Board members unanimously approved offering town payment of 20 percent of the $114,000 for which they are applying and authorized Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux to sign the grant application. Selectmen rediscussed how to implement the March town meeting vote authorizing stipends for volunteer firefighters and China Rescue members. Federal law defining independent contractors versus employees is complicating the issue. They postponed further action until fire department and rescue members report back to them; they considered asking the town attorney to weigh in, but made no decision.

Bill Van Wickler, Weeks Mills Fire Department Assistant Chief, reported on progress toward finding the second-hand brush truck the department was authorized to buy some time ago. He has found a promising candidate in Alabama, he said.

After considerable discussion of specifications and options, selectmen unanimously authorized spending up to $50,000 for a used brush truck plus up to $500 to get it inspected by a knowledgeable person. They further authorized Van Wickler to put down a $500 refundable deposit to hold the Alabama truck, if it is still available.

L’Heureux would prefer a newer truck than the Alabama one, but Van Wickler said most trucks less than 12 to 15 years old are still in service. A brand-new one would cost a minimum of $99,000, he said.

The next China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, May 15, preceded by a 6:30 p.m. public hearing on June 13 local ballot items.

CHINA NEWS: Three local issues on town June ballot

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by Mary Grow

China voters will have a three-issue town ballot on June 13, in addition to ratifying or rejecting the Regional School Unit #18 budget for 2017-18 and voting on state questions. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the former portable classroom behind the town office on Lakeview Drive. Voters in the five RSU 18 towns will approve next year’s school budget at the annual district budget meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at Messalonskee High School in Oakland.

Public hearings on China’s three local questions are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 15, before that evening’s selectmen’s meeting.

On June 13, voters will decide by written ballot whether to:

  • Approve an “Ordinance Prohibiting Retail Marijuana Establishments and Retail Marijuana Social Clubs in the Town of China”;
  • Appropriate up to $25,000 from the Unrestricted/Unassigned Fund Balance (surplus) to buy and install a septic system and well for the portable classroom, referred to in this article as the Emergency Preparedness Shelter; and
  • Authorize selectmen to buy a two-acre lot on Alder Park Road adjoining land already town-owned and appropriate $12,000 from surplus for the purchase.

The four budget committee members attending an April 26 meeting unanimously supported both proposed expenditures.

The plan for the well and septic system includes two further steps if voters approve the $25,000: installing a bathroom in the building and connecting the well to the town office. Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux recommends funding the bathroom and town office connection from town office maintenance money. The current town office well provides minimally drinkable water, because it is affected by the pile of salted sand that stood uncovered behind the town office for many years.

The lot proposed for purchase is east of the lot on the corner of Alder Park Road and Lakeview Drive that the town bought several years ago, south of the lot on which the town office complex stands and west of part of the 6.2 acre lot voters approved buying in November 2016. L’Heureux said he is working to get an accurate map and clear title on the November purchase.

At an April 27 special selectboard meeting, selectmen unanimously authorized L’Heureux to sign an agreement on the Alder Park Road lot conditional on voter approval of money to buy it.

The marijuana ordinance was again a subject of debate at the April 27 selectmen’s meeting. It was put on the June 13 warrant without a selectmen’s recommendation to voters and with board member Joann Austin voting against presenting it.

Austin called putting the question on the ballot a mistake. She believes that retail marijuana establishments open new possibilities for local businesspeople, and that keeping marijuana illegal only increases its attractiveness to young people.

Other board members fear marijuana businesses would be dominated by large out-of-state operations with the profits going out of state. They pointed out that approving the ordinance would neither affect medical marijuana operations nor forbid individuals to grow small amounts for personal use.

A copy of the proposed ordinance is on the China town website under Election Information.

In other business April 27, Board Chairman Neil Farrington announced the recent state award to China’s transfer station staff, which will be more fully publicized, and announced that May 7 through 13 is Maine Composting Week.

Board members talked again about plans for stipends for China’s emergency services volunteers. Voters at the March town meeting approved up to $40,000 for the purpose, with a distribution plan to be worked out by the services and town officials. Federal regulations defining when a person is an independent contractor versus an employee are complicating discussions.

Since the April meetings, L’Heureux learned that the property for sale at the north end of China Lake, mentioned by Tax Increment Financing Committee member Dale Worster at the April 24 TIF Committee meeting (see The Town Line, April 27, p. 3), is the house and lot immediately west of Church Park. L’Heureux has informed TIF Committee members.

China transfer station receives excellence award

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China transfer station employees, from left to right, Kevin Rhoades, Mary Kay Tisdale, manager Tim Grotton, holding the award, and Ed Brownell.
Contributed photo

The Town of China was awarded the Maine Recycling and Solid Waste Most Improved Program award in 2010. Since then the town has continued to strive for excellence.

China and Palermo have recently agreed to share the use of the China transfer station and the transition has been extremely successful. Many positive comments from Palermo residents have commended the staff’s high commitment to excellence in the pursuit of stellar service to all the residents served.

The inter-local initiative has benefited both municipalities through cost management and capacity building while recognizing the state’s hierarchy in solid waste disposal.

China’s personnel were an integral stakeholder in the conversations on how to make the transition a successful one. An innovative and dynamic group of determined workers provide outstanding service for residents of China and Palermo.

China has also expanded its composting program from 0-lbs of composting before 2012 to over 34-35 tons of composted materials today (weighed when leaving the transfer station and received by those who use the composted materials.)

Their daily contributions to solid waste management processes, environmental concerns, safety in operations, and economically sound solid waste management practices are honorable and appreciated and worth recognition.

The Town of China was presented with the MRRA’s 2017 Recycling and Solid Waste Continuing Excellence Award.

Week of April 27, 2017

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Week of April 27, 2017

Honor guard welcomes home a number of World War II veterans

On April 2, the Mount Merici Academy honor guard took another trip to the Portland Jetport to welcome home a number of World War II veterans as they returned from their Honor Flight to Washington, DC, where they viewed the national memorial to their indescribable courage in World War II, a time in their lives when they were barely older than Mount Merici’s eighth graders. With respect and immense gratitude, the Mount Merici Academy Honor Guard, led by United States Army veteran Joel Lavenson, (a Mount Merici parent), welcomed each veteran home with a salute, and then carried their flags proudly in a “welcome home” parade, escorting them past a throng of respectful citizens representing a grateful nation. […]

TIF group to ask for RFP to replace Causeway bridge

Public hearing set for two articles

Benton resident Abigail King returns following intensive research project

Zumba-thon for veterans a success

Pages In Time

Remembering the Saturday afternoon serials

If Walls Could TalkIF WALLS COULD TALK

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

TRAINING YOUR PERFORMANCE DOGAgility: Routines build confidence

Review PotpouriReview Potpourri

Scores and OutdoorsA fish story to top them all

How about if… (part 2)

BBBS plan Putt for Cass fundraiser

Other News

University of New Hampshire’s dean’s list for the fall 2016 semester

Vassalboro school board to hold special budget meeting

Winslow High School second quarter honors

Other News

Program on invasive plants set in Unity

Over 100 local Special Olympians set for games in Skowhegan on May 5

BBBS plan Putt for Cass fundraiser

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Colby Charette, right, Cassidy Charette’s brother and now “Big Brother” and mentor to his “Little” Harrison Quimby, get ready to “Putt 4 Cass” at Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream & Mini Golf, in Waterville May 20, to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine. To register, sponsor or volunteer, contact monica@bbbsmidmaine.org. Contributed photo

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine will celebrate the life of Cassidy Charette by raising money and awareness for local youth mentoring programs at a mini golf fundraiser “Putt 4 Cass” on Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream & Mini Golf, in Waterville. (Rain date May 21.) Cassidy was a junior at Messaonskee High School when she was killed in a hayride accident October 11, 2014. Since her passing, her school and its surrounding communities continue to find ways to honor and remember the teen whose passion was helping others through community service.

Cassidy was a volunteer for BBBS of Mid-Maine and advocated for a school-based mentoring program at her high school. When it wasn’t available, she asked to mentor a child each week at the Alfond Youth Center, completed training and was just two weeks shy of meeting her first “Little Sister.” In her honor, BBBS of Mid-Maine created three new BBBS school-based programs. Two of those programs pair Messalonskee high school mentors (Bigs) with youth facing adversity (Littles) at Atwood Primary and Williams Elementary schools, in Oakland. A third program was launched last year at the Boys/Girls Club and YMCA at Alfond Youth Center in Waterville, where each week kids in the after school care program meet one-on-one with high school “Bigs” from Messalonskee, Winslow, Waterville and Lawrence high schools.

“Helping others, especially children, was Cassidy’s passion,” said Monica Wilcox Charette, Cassidy’s mother and event coordinator. “These special mentoring programs will support hundreds of local kids, give high school students the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a child’s life, and will honor Cassidy for years to come.”

The new mini golf event replaces “Bowl for Cassidy’s Sake,” a successful bowling fundraiser that in the last two years raised $80,000 for local BBBS programs. This year, schools, athletic teams, service groups and businesses are invited to form mini golf teams of four players, choose their preferred time to golf, register online (or call to register) and raise funds for local mentoring programs, then join the community May 20 to “Putt 4 Cass.”

The event will include course challenges with prizes, music, food, and ShineOnCass T-shirts for team fundraising. “Putt 4 Cass” is sponsored by Aetna, Fabian Oil, Golden Pond Wealth Management, Hammond Lumber, Mainely Trusses, New Balance, Smile Solutions, and Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream. Additional sponsoring opportunities are available, including hole sponsorships on the course.

To register a team, sponsor, volunteer, or for more information, call 314-6996, email monica@bbbsmidmaine.org or visit http://www.bbbsmidmaine.org.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: A fish story to top them all

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Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee

I have been an avid fisherman for the better part of the past five decades. I have fished for many different species, under various weather conditions with some unusual experiences. But I have never had one fall out of the sky…until this week.
Now, I know recreational marijuana use is legal in Maine, but I swear on my mother’s grave I don’t touch the stuff.

When I arrived home from work last Wednesday, there it was, on the walkway from my driveway to the side door, a yellow perch, completely intact, with rigor mortis very well established. Since my hands were full, I figured I’d go back out to take care of it later.

Once in the house, I forgot about the fish until the next morning when I left the house to head to work. It was still there. I kicked it over to the side so no one would accidentally step on it, and proceeded to work. I returned that afternoon, and it was still there. I went in the house, dumped my briefcase and laptop, and headed out to take care of the situation.

The fish had disappeared, just as quickly as it had appeared. Strange to say the least.

Since I live about 400 yards from the Kennebec River, where there is a large population of sea gulls, crows, and a nesting pair of bald eagles, I figured one of them may have inadvertently dropped it during a mid-flight skirmish with another bird over the fish. I have witnessed such encounters in the past. Why it stayed there for two days before being reclaimed, or discovered by another bird, or even ground animal, is a mystery.

With that in mind, I have received the first fishing report of the season from Mark Latti, of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for our region.

The report, dated April 21, states the Belgrade Lakes are still ice bound except for some places where open water exists. I would think, though, that by now, they are probably free of ice. Anglers are catching up to 19-inch rainbow trout in Long Pond.
In our area, the best spot right now for landlocked salmon and brown trout is at Lake St. George, in Liberty, according to IF&W biologist Jason Seiders.

Alford Lake, in Hope, is another place to visit this time of year. Reports from there indicate brown trout in the eight pound range, according to trapnetting that was conducted last fall. Seiders thinks there may be some even bigger ones this spring. Also, humpback white perch, ranging up to two pounds, have been caught.

With the spring runoff, many area streams are overflowing their banks, making fishing a little difficult right now. Messalonskee and Belgrade streams have not yet been stocked, but should be in the near future.

A little further north, below the Wyman Dam, reports are showing excellent early season fishing of salmon and rainbow. IFW staff “conducted creel surveys there and interviewed one group that caught 20 salmon, and released all but one,” according to Seiders.

Also, taking into consideration the past history, the alewives should begin to run at the dam on Webber Pond during the first week or two of May.

Open water fishing is well underway – I saw a couple of bass fisherman on China Lake this week – so it’s time to get the gear out, prepare the boat, and head out on the great Maine lakes and streams, but keep an eye out above.

Violette earns academic merit scholarship to Delaware Valley University

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Delaware Valley University, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, congratulates the recipients of the University’s top three merit-based Admission scholarships:

Nathan Violette, of Oakland, has been selected for an academic merit scholarship to Delaware Valley University.

DelVal awards admission merit scholarships to high-achieving high school students based on GPA and test scores.

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of April 27, 2017

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Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

WALLS and faithful readers, so glad that Computer Improvements in Downtown Skowhegan came to the rescue! Unfortunately, this is a completely new program, but hopefully, our faithful readers will be patient with us.

Yes, the last WALLS did give you faithful readers a reason for folks who are no longer with us but passed on the reason they spoke of the year Maine had no summer. Yup, WALLS, you were absolutely right. The year was 1816 when our beautiful blue skies were clouded by a volcano’s eruption in Tasmania, Indonesia, and the smoke and ash came all the way to make Mainers talk about “the year with no summer.” Yup, Mainers are great story tellers and the subject of “what used to be” has been a favorite one for all to give us our history lessons.

O.K., WALLS promised you faithful readers Chapter 2 last week. Actually, that volcanic eruption was in 1815, but Mainers didn’t realize the travel time for the ashes until the summer of 1816. However, with much of today’s emphasis being on art, the artisans of that era recognized that the sky had a “yellow tint” and have educated us by painting that yellow as each interpreted it. So, faithful readers, now you know!

Here’s another bit of history. Today is Earth Day and, admittedly, through little or no planning, do you know that East Madison holds the historic prize for being the first of many happenings? Little old East Madison in very early times was the first Madison until the paper industry discovered the power that the Kennebec River would afford ‘the mill’. Yes, WALLS, you are right in that now that paper manufacturing mill has ceased to exist…again.

Another first? East Madison had seven active manufacturers at one time. Yes, the Cummings Mill manufactured woolen goods and the late “Bill” Cummings, who grew up in East Madison, founded Skowhegan Art School. East Madison’s history also included a park where Donald Perkins’ East Madison Store once had a cribbage board for the men to enjoy and now the American flag flies for the first East Madison soldier to be killed in Vietnam and famous poet, Florence Burrill Jacobs was born and grew up in East Madison. So what does this have to do with Earth Day, you ask? Well, East Madison had the first Earth Day in the U.S.A.! No, WALLS is right! The date in 1970 had been set, the town youngers had been recruited. The late “Joe” Denis would walk and pick up trash from the White School House Road to Perkins’ Store (and Donald had snacks waiting). Katie would drive the town truck! Well, that truck wasn’t available for the official Earth Day, because of its being used “in the big town of Madison’ for Earth Day. So, guess who drove the town dump truck….yup, Katie! Oh, we found an old still, lots of junk, and the youngsters have all grown up…and even moved, but the memories linger on! Lest we forget, faithful readers, lest we forget! Earth Day was born in 1970 and Maine pride still is celebrated and Katie drove a Madison dump truck. Oh, yes, and East Madison had its own dump!