Humanitarian caregivers seeking aid

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Gary Kennedy
by  Gary Kennedy

Partners For World Health was founded many years ago by Elizabeth McClellan, RN. The mission of medical service to mankind globally has really taken root from Maine to Bangladesh and many places in between. This 501 (c)3 organization is truly something of which to be proud, not only Nurse McClellan but to those of us, who endeavor to live up to the concept of Service Beyond Self.

In the few short years this great organization has existed, thousands of needy individuals around the world have benefited from its caring outreach with medical equipment, and supplies as well as much needed surgeries which would be out of reach of the poor if not for them. This, for the most part, is made of Maine medical professionals sharing their skills as volunteers to an in-need world. World Peace isn’t won by wars but by the warm, caring touch of humanitarian caregivers such as these.

This organization is based in South Portland but is expanding into the Augusta area. In so doing, it finds itself in need of a small, clean warehouse within 20 minutes of the Augusta area. If you know of a warehouse possibility please give us a call. Also, since we are a service to mankind organization, we are always in need of volunteers both medical professionals as well as much needed support staff including those of you who could be on call with a truck.

This is a great opportunity for church and civic organizations to give a helping hand sorting and cataloging medical supplies and equipment for missions throughout the world. If your school requires a certain amount of volunteer hours, here is a great opportunity to get credit for that, and at the same time, know that you are contributing to the welfare of those who wouldn’t have it without you.

To become part of the team call us at 207-774-5555, or you can email the department head at tori@partnersforworldhealth.org. Our website is www.PartnersforWorldHealth.org. If your group or civic organization needs a speaker we would be happy to do that.

You will make new friends and become part of something that you will certainly be proud of. Retired medical professionals are always welcome to assist on missions. Add meaning to your life and join the team “P.F.W.H.” The world needs you.

Obituaries, Week of August 11, 2016

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LINWOOD A. GROTTON

WINDSOR––SSgt. Linwood A. Grotton (Retired), born February 4, 1947, died at his home on Thursday, July 28, 2016, following a long illness.

Linwood “Woody” was a member of the United States Army for 21 years, serving during the times of Panama, Grenada and Vietnam and served one tour of duty in Korea. Linwood served four tours in Germany with his family and spent most of his military career in aviation and retired as a quality assurance/safety engineer and teacher for incoming aviation soldiers. He said upon discussing his time in the Army that he lived the longest camping trip of his life. Upon his retirement from the military he worked three years for Lockheed-Martin where he worked on aircraft across the country.

Linwood, with his wife Darlene, loved Munich, Germany, a favorite of theirs though they traveled extensively across both Europe and the United States with their daughters. Linwood was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman who loved taking his family camping. He was a protector, hero, and great father to his daughters and his marriage to Darlene was nothing less than adventurous. Through all life’s foibles and health concerns, Linwood lived each day to its fullest.

Linwood was a man who believed in family and shared this strong belief with his children and grandchildren. He loved history and learning about his ancestry. He was a man to be reckoned with, but a man whose heart far outweighed his gruff exterior. He was honest, honorable and real. He cared for those he loved with an unwavering loyalty.
He was predeceased by his mother, Alfreda (Young) Grotton and father, Leroy Henry Grotton; and brother Theodore Grotton.

Linwood is survived by his wife of 49 years, Darlene L. (Laukka) Grotton; five daughters, Tammy Anderson and husband, Erik, Lauri Alejandro, Heidi Grotton, Wendy Zwecker and husband Sam, and Billie Jean Niederowski and husband Mike; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister Naomi Wilson and fiancé Joe, of Warren; brother Gregory Grotton and wife Joyce, of Union; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Please make memorial donations to: The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675.

DONALD A. PEASLEE

WHITEFIELD––Donald A. Peaslee Jr., passed away on Sunday, July 31, 2016. Donald was born in Union on July 25, 1944.
In the summer of 1959 he met Barbara Jean Hall at a Knights of Columbus Hall dance. September 7, 1963, Donald and Barbara were married, lived in Whitefield and raised three children.

He is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter Tammy Peaslee, two sons, Scott Peaslee and wife Paula, Steve Peaslee and wife Bobbi-Jo; sister Vivian Gale; 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three nieces and two nephews.

REGINALD W. GRENIER SR.

ALBION – Reginald W. Grenier Sr., 77, passed away Monday, August 1, 2016, at Maine General Medical Center, in Augusta. He was born June 1, 1939, in Waterville, the son of Leo Edmond and Lucille Grace (Gullifer) Grenier.page4pict1

He was educated in the schools of Waterville and graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 1957, then continued his education at MVTI, graduating in 1960 earning an A.S. in electronics. On July 25, 1959, he married Pauline McCoy at Sacred Heart Church, in Waterville. He was a self-employed businessman for 22 years and owned and operated Grenier’s TV Repair. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, photography, was a watch collector, and loved to travel, and especially enjoyed riding trains and collected model trains as a hobby.

Reginald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pauline (McCoy) Grenier, of Albion; daughter, Robbin Henderson and husband Franklin, of South Berwick; three sons, Reginald Grenier, Jr and wife Wanda, of Waterville, Stephen Grenier and wife Brandi, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Michael Grenier, of Fairfield; brother, Eddie Grenier, of Winslow; sister, Diane Grenier, of Winslow; 13 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to American Diabetes Association, Attn: Memorials, PO Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio 44720.
Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.

AUDREY I. TYLER

WINSLOW––Audrey I. (Witham) Tyler, passed away following a long battle with cardiac disease, on Thursday, August 4, 2016. Audrey was born on February 13, 1924, in Benton, to Elmer and Eliza (Shores) Witham.

She was the wife of Ervin H. Tyler and they shared 75 years together. Audrey lived in Freedom, and has resided in Winslow since 2002.
Audrey was a gentle, loving woman who always had a smile, and her twinkling brown eyes danced with excitement as she greeted everyone who touched her life.

As a child Audrey loved to slide, play in the brook building rafts, going to the movies with her father and cooking with her mother. She also enjoyed going to the coast with the family and going to local fairs. She loved sliding with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as playing basketball and cross country skiing, with she learned at age 70. In her later years, she enjoyed doing word search puzzles, playing beano, going for rides and meeting friends.

Audrey was a member of the Benton Falls Congregational Church, was a member of the Ladies Aide and cooked and worked on church suppers for years. She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and was so excited to see them win the World Series three times. She attended the University of Maine’s women’s basketball games for years, even at the age of 85.

Audrey worked at the Winslow Poultry Plant for 29 years. She went there the day it opened and left the day it closed. She was a union representative and was well like and respected. She worked at the Mid_Maine Medical Center in the housekeeping department for 11 years and wa loved by staff and patients alike. She was made an honorary substance abuse counselor in recognition of the distinguished service, loving care and listening ear she gave to patients. They couldn’t say enough about the positive influence she was in their lives. Audrey was identified on several occasions as being an outstanding employee who committed a great deal to Mid-Maine’s caring environment. She was cited five times for giving extra care and kindness. Everyone who knew her loved her because they realized how much she cared for them.

Audrey took the initiative to do things on her own without being told, she was a very perceptive person, no wonder so many people looked up to her. One of her evaluators wrote, “she is very co-operative and understanding in all areas. She worked on detox, sixth hall. It isn’t an easy floor to work on, it takes a special understanding person to handle sixth hall and she is surely that type of person, a very polite, understanding and easy going person.”

Audrey was predeceased by her parents, Elmer (Joe) and Eliza Witham; her daughter, Nancy Tyler McCutcheon; sisters, Barbara Martin, Pauline Bessey; brother Irving Witham; sister-in-law, Maxine Gurney and husband Edmond; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband of 75 years, Ervin H. Tyler; she leaves one daughter, Bonnie R. Tyler; grandsons, Mark McCutcheon and wife Laurie, and Michael McCutcheon and wife Deanna; three great-grandchildren, Justin McCutcheon and wife, Sara, Kristi Francey and husband, Dana, and Ian McCutcheon; one great-great-grandchild, Madeline Francey; a son-in-law, Harold McCutcheon and friend, Sharon Lamb; niece and her family, Pamela Wallace and husband, Bob, Liza Wallace and Devon Wallace; nephews, Lawrence Lee and wife, Doreen, Dennis Witham and wife, Laura; and friend Alice Alexander.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Benton Falls Congregational Church, c/o Dawnella Sheehan, 274 Bellsqueeze Road, Benton ME 04901.

OTHERS DEPARTED

JOSEPH M. LACHANCE, 84, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at The Pavilion of Brightmore, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Locally, he is survived by a brother, Florian (Babe) Lachance, of Winslow.

DAVID L. GRUHN, 56, of Bristol, Connecticut, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016, from complications of pneumonia. Locally, he is survived by siblings, Mary Bixby and husband Joseph, of Oakland, Frank Gruhn, of Fairfield, Robert Westman and wife Bobbi-Jo, of Oakland, and Patricia Hagerty and husband Patrick, of Clinton; nephew Christopher Gruhn, of Fairfield, neice Emily Hagerty, of Clinton, and step-nephews, Dorian and Zachary French, of Fairfield.

SHIRLEY J. O’NEAL CARON, 58, of Orange Park, Florida, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016, following a long battle with cancer. Locally, she is survived by her father Wayman O’Neal and stepmother Lena, of Benton; siblings, Jerry O’Neal, of Benton, Betsy Lindell and son Ryan, of Waterville, Linda Hebert and companion Allen, of Fairfield.

DAVID L. HARRIS, 82, of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. Locally, he is survived by his wife Doris, of Waterville. daughters Deanna Bennett and partner Pete Tait, of Winslow, Dawn Starkey and husband George, of Benton, and Donna Sevey and husband James, of Waterville.

JOAN GIFFORD, 75, of Waterville, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2016, at her residence. Locally, she is survived by a brother, Ronney Perreault and wife Rose, of Waterville.

Local residents on St. Joseph’s dean list

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Five area students at St. Joseph’s College, in Standish, were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester. They are:
Alexander Terry, of Benton; Meg Nadeau, of South China; Marisellia Greenlaw, Marselina Greenlaw, and Rachel Pelletier, all of Winslow.

Selectmen OK purchase of new police cruiser; ask transfer committee to reconsider

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by Mary Grow

At their Aug. 8 meeting, China selectmen voted unanimously to buy a new police vehicle, after an hour-long discussion with two of the town’s part-time police officers that segued into a third discussion of speeding in China Village.

Selectmen then spent another hour rediscussing the relocation of the swap shop, aka free for the taking building, at the transfer station before reversing their July 25 decision on the issue.

Oakland Police Chief Michael Tracy and Sergeant Tracey Frost, two of the officers working part-time in China, attended the meeting to explain the need to replace China’s current police truck.  Because the 2012 truck has a trade-in value of $21,000 and the town has a $20,000 grant for a police vehicle, Frost said selectmen can buy a 2017 Ford Explorer through law enforcement sources for $22,000, have it custom painted and equipped and have money left for additional equipment.

Frost called the Chevrolet pick-up “a great truck, but not a great police vehicle.”  The planned new one would have a heavy-duty transmission for sudden deceleration and acceleration (for example, when a policeman meets a speeding vehicle and turns around to chase it) and a heavy-duty electrical system to accommodate radar, a radio, computer and lights.
He plans better lights that will make the new vehicle more visible and include capacity to illuminate a wide area.  The Explorer will have four-wheel drive for winter camp checks and other back-road work.

After Frost’s presentation, China Village residents requested another discussion of speeding problems in the village.  They said nothing had been done after the two earlier discussions; selectmen and Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux said there had been increased police patrols.

Selectman Ronald Breton said in six hours two Oakland officers observed 200 vehicles, found 44 miles an hour in the 25-mile-an-hour zone the highest speed, stopped four vehicles and issued two warnings and two summonses – all to Neck Road residents.

Chief Tracy said he could borrow and post an inconspicuous radar device that would record speed.  Selectmen and residents asked him to do so.

Other board and audience members and the two Oakland policemen mentioned other town roads on which drivers routinely exceed speed limits.

Selectmen then returned to the police car issue and unanimously approved buying the new cruiser.  Frost estimated delivery will take a couple months.

Frost added that he enjoys working in China, even after a 40-hour week in Oakland, and praised Tracy as an excellent chief.

Transfer Station Committee members asked selectmen to reconsider their July 25 decision to reject the committee recommendation on relocating the swap shop.  Committee Chairman Frank Soares and members told the board having the swap shop close to the waste hopper causes major traffic congestion, especially on busy Saturday mornings.

The proposed new site would be south and east of the current one and would create additional paved parking space.  The committee recommends a 12-by-20-foot building.

Past and future committee member Linda O’Connor and planning board member Tom Miragliuolo, in the audience, said most towns offer some kind of free for the taking area.  Selectmen Irene Belanger and Joann Austin, the two supporters of the committee plan at the July 25 meeting, believe Palermo residents look forward to the service when Palermo begins using China’s transfer station in January 2017.

Selectman Neil Farrington insisted the building needed more consistent management – O’Connor offered to head a volunteer management group – and Breton and Board Chairman Robert MacFarland remained concerned about the source of funds and the regulatory requirements for putting up a larger building in a different place.

Ultimately, a motion authorizing the new building, setting the total price at no more than $12,000, with $6,000 to come from the selectmen’s $45,000 contingency fund approved at town meeting and the rest from the transfer station budget, and making construction conditional on necessary approvals (from the China Planning Board, the state fire marshal and/or any other relevant agency) was approved 4-1, with MacFarland still opposed.

In other business Aug. 8, selectmen made three appointments: Todd Dunn to the recreation committee, Tom Michaud to the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) committee and O’Connor to the transfer station committee.      After 40 minutes’ discussion of handicapped access to the portable classroom behind the town office with Fairfield contractor Kevin Violette, they ended up where they intended to be two weeks earlier, authorizing Violette to build an ADA-compliant ramp for no more than $9,000.

They authorized board member Neil Farrington to have the doors on the old town house repaired at a cost not to exceed $1,800, from the maintenance budget approved at town meeting.

L’Heureux said he expects to be able to recommend a 2016-17 tax rate at the board’s Aug. 22 meeting.  By town meeting vote, the first half payment is due by Friday, Sept. 30.

Simon family receives LakeSmart designation

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The China Lake Association is delighted to announce that Irma Simon’s family property on China Lake has just won the coveted LakeSmart Award for their lake-friendly management that protects our lake from harmful stormwater runoff.  Irma’s family has enjoyed their camp since around 1927.  She remembers that as a child, her parents brought her and her three older sisters from early June until mid-September to spend their summers at the lake. She also remembers that before the week of rain in 1983, China Lake was clear, but that after the rain, it turned green.

Irma Simon

Irma Simon, left, receives the LakeSmart designation on behalf of her family from Marie Michaud, LakeSmart program team leader. Contributed photo

Her family has always kept a deep and varied stand of vegetation along the lake’s edge. This “buffer” is the most effective tool for keeping phosphorus and other harmful pollutants from entering our lake and stimulating algae growth. Ninety percent  of what goes into a lake stays in a lake! The Simons also keep the mower blade no lower than 3 inches. Why? Because the root system is only as deep as the blade of grass is tall. The longer the roots, the more protection we give to the lake from erosion and pollution leaching through soil to lake water.

Thank you, Irma and your family, for your LakeSmart Practices! Display your signs proudly!

Submitted by The China Lake Association LakeSmart Program, Marie Michaud Team Leader.

Brown brothers earn eagle scout rank

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A celebration was recently held at the Palermo Christian Church for Eagle Scouts Daniel Ray Brown and Jacob Aaron Brown of Troop #479. Friends, family members, elected officials, and other scouts gathered together to honor Daniel and Jacob for earning their wings – the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. The Eagle is the highest rank that scouting bestows in the advancement program. Eagle Scouts Daniel and Jacob Brown, their family, their Scout leaders, and other members of the community had labored long and faithfully, and their efforts were recognized in this special presentation.

Brothers Daniel Brown and Jacob Brown of Palermo

Brothers Daniel Brown, left, and Jacob Brown, of Palermo, recently earned eagle scout status. Contributed photo

Troop #479 Advance Chairman, Ron Emery, was asked to serve as master of ceremonies. Court of Honor was called to order by Angel Truman, Kennebec Valley Advancement Member. Pastor Phil Hubbard of the Palermo Christian Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Alliance was led by Scout Sam Boynton, and Cole Colson opened the ceremony with the Scout Oath.

Daniel and Jacob and their family selected the Four Winds Eagle Scout Ceremony.

Ron Emery introduced Scoutmaster Scott Adams for the presentation of the Eagle Scout Awards. Daniel, Jacob, and their parents were escorted to the front by Scout Hunter Praul.

Scoutmaster Scott Adams asked Daniel and Scott’s mother to pin the Eagle medals onto their uniforms. He then asked Daniel and Jacob to present her with the Eagle mother’s pins, after which, he asked their father to present them with Eagle Scout certificates. Daniel and Jacob were also asked to present to their father with the Eagle lapel pins. Their parents were asked to place the Eagle neckerchief around the neck of their sons. Scott also gave remarks about Daniel’s and Jacob’s time in Scout Troop 479.

An integral component of the requirements for Eagle Scouts is a service project. The candidate must develop the project, organize the materials and manpower, and supervise its completion. Daniel Brown’s Eagle Project was at the Brown Cemetery, and Jacob Brown’s Eagle Project was at the Rust Cemetery, both in Palermo. The cemeteries needed trees cut, brush cut or pulled, stumps removed, and old fences removed. New entrances to both cemeteries were created with rock steps, and a fence was placed around each cemetery. Jacob Brown’s Eagle Project at the Rust Cemetery in Palermo was a considerable distance from the road, and a path needed to be cut to the cemetery. Signs were placed at each cemetery. The town of Palermo and the Cemetery Association were very pleased with Daniel and Jacob’s Eagle projects.

Daniel and Jacob are the sons of Ray and Kari Brown, of Palermo. Daniel will be a senior at Erskine Academy this fall, and Jacob will be a junior in Illinois, as his father was re-assigned to Illinois.

Week of August 4, 2016

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Week of August 4, 2016

The Town Line launches new website!

Following months of development, The Town Line is ready to unveil its new web portal, www.townline.org. Though The Town Line has offered .pdf downloads of the print edition at its website for several years, it has long been a goal of the board of directors to offer a true online version of the popular local newspaper in addition to the print edition. […]

Boston has Duck Boats; China has a Duct Tape Boat

What to do when it doesn’t rain

SOLON  & BEYOND, Week of August 4, 2016

IM JUST CURIOUS THUMBColors

Looking back during China Community Days

Cellists Anja Thauer André Navarra Novelist Lisa Miscione

Are there golden eagles on Webber Pond? Some say “yes”

Moving up in ranks

Albion Neighborhood News, Week of August 4, 2016

Give Us Your Best Shot! – Week of August 4, 2016

Other News

College programs wrap up successful year at KVCC

Rensselaer students named to dean’s honor list

Other News

Cottages at China Lake approved for 23 boat slips

Samantha Munro named to Becker College dean’s list

Give Us Your Best Shot! – Week of August 4, 2016

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Tina Richard

TIME TO GO HOME: Tina Richard, of Clinton, photographed the release of a young eagle near the dam, in Benton.

 

Michael Bilinski

THIS WAY, KIDS: Michael Bilinski, of China Village, snapped this mother duck with her one-day old ducklings..

 

Emily Poulin

CRASHING THE PARTY: Emily Poulin, of China, caught this grackle eating at a feeder this past spring, without a reservation.

Moving up in ranks

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Huard’s Martial Arts students

Huard’s Martial Arts students who moved up in ranks were Kyle Anderson, of Clinton, first degree black belt, Chad Joseph, of Unity, third degree black belt, and Alison Bouchard, of China, first degree black belt. Photo by Mark Huard

Are there golden eagles on Webber Pond? Some say “yes”

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by Roland D. Hallee

I had a differet subject in mind for my column this week, but circumstances over the weekend have changed my mind and peaked my interest. I also received an education.

Sitting with friends around a camp fire on Friday night, one of the neighbors said, that while kayaking that afternoon, she had seen a Golden eagle. I immediately chimed in that they were an endangered species, and were not known to exist in Maine (according to something I had read years ago).

The following day, while taking a boat ride around Webber Pond with some dear friends who are year-round residents on the pond, he asked if we had seen the Golden eagles. That did it.

Was it possible for Golden eagles to exist on Webber Pond. My friend went on to say he had witnessed them on the ice during the winter, actually devouring some fish that had been left on the ice by fishermen.

golden eagles

In this presentation at the Gidwitz Field Museum, Hall of Birds, in Chicago, Illinois, a golden eagle, left, and bald eagle are appropriately displayed.

To prove his point, he steered the party boat toward the west shore of Webber Pond, where, high in the top of a tree, was this large nest, occupied by some rather large birds. We were not able to discern what was occupying the nest from that distance. Bald eagles were circling in the area. I was still not sold.

Well, research taught me that Golden eagles, one of the largest and fastest of raptors in North America, do exist in Maine, although a rarity, mainly to the west and north of Moosehead Lake. So, now are they moving east in our state?

Golden eagles, Equila chrysaetos, can be found throughout the northern hemisphere. A large population exists in the western Rockies and north into Alaska. In the east, a small breeding population occurs in Maine, Labrador and Québec Province, although its range is greatly reduced  from its former extent down the Appalachians to North Carolina.

According to Cornell University Lab of Ornithology, Golden eagle populations appear to have been stable between 1966 and 2014.  Partners in Flight estimates their global breeding population to be 300,000, with 35 percent spending some part of the year in the U.S.

Golden eagles are listed as an endangered species in Maine. The decline in their numbers is directly attributed to environmental contaminants, especially DDT, that caused reproductive impairment during the post World War II era. Although these contaminants are now banned, they still persist in the birds’ bodies. Maine’s golden eagles depend heavily on wading birds as prey, which had high levels of contaminants. Five dead golden eagles have been found since 1985. Golden eagle eggs recovered from a nest in 1996 showed high levels of DDE, a variant of DDT.

Golden eagle populations have declined in the east throughout the 20th century, and were extirpated 20-40 years ago in the eastern states. Only 10 nesting territories have been documented with certainty, but at least 18 more locations are suspected. Six successful nesting attempts were recorded at three Maine eyries  [nests of birds of prey] from 1955-1967. Goldens disappeared from Oxford, Franklin and Somerset counties during the 1980s.  The last known nesting pair in Maine existed until 1999, then disappeared completely.  That pair was heavily contaminanted and had not produced young since 1986.

Today, Golden eagles can fall prey to collisions with automobiles, wind turbines, and other structures or from electrocution at power poles. Urbanization, agricultural development and changes in wildfire regimes have compromised nesting and hunting grounds.

There have been sporadic sightings of Golden eagles in recent years, and it is hoped that individual eagles from Canada may be moving into previously unoccupied eyries.  Counts at hawk watch sites seem to indicate the Eastern population is slowly recovering.

Adults may live 15 – 20 years in the wild, although they have been known to live 46 years in captivity. The oldest recorded Golden eagle in the wild was at least 31 years, 8 months old when it was found in Utah in 2012.

Once I was almost convinced the two friends thought they had seen golden eagles, I asked if they had misidentified immature bald eagles, which resemble each other. Both told me the birds they saw were much larger than bald eagles. My skepticism continues.  Golden eagle wingspans can extend up to six feet, with a 40-inch body, and can weigh 8 – 13 pounds. Bald eagles have a body length of up to 40 inches, with wingspans of 6 – 7.5 feet, and a body weight of between 6.5 – 14 pounds. Many sources say the bald eagle has sometimes been considered the largest true raptor in North America, outsizing the Golden eagle.

Golden eagles are uniformly brown throughout their lives. They get their name from amber or golden highlights on the head and neck. Golden eagles have shorter hawk-like bills, their lower legs are feathered to the ankles, and they soar with slightly uplifted wings, whereas a bald eagle flies with its wings stretched straight out so you can see their “fingers.” Golden eagles remain with the same mate for life. The female is larger than the male, otherwise, they look identical.

Sightseers and photographers should stay away from the nest during the nesting season, which is February through August. Like bald eagles, golden eagles are disturbed by human activities near the nests. Humans should avoid the nests during the nesting period.

Wintering areas for Maine golden eagles can stretch to the Maritime Provinces, depending on the availability of food. Their normal diet consists of ground squirrels, marmots, ptarmigan and seabirds.

My goal, at this point, is to photograph these “Golden eagles” before the summer ends, to correctly identify them as such. From a distance, of course.

Be careful what you wish for.

The other night, while watching a Red Sox game, the Sox were down 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out, Xander Bogaerts singled, bringing up David Ortiz. I said, “Come on, Ortiz, end it right here!” He did, grounding into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. I meant for him to hit a two-run homer for the walk-off win. Sox lost. Be careful what you wish for.