Vassalboro transfer station task force continues talks at Lombard Road facility

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by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Transfer Station Taskforce members met Dec. 12 to continue discussion of options for changes at the facility on Lombard Dam Road. (See the Nov. 21 issue of The Town Line, p. 8).

The group began months ago with one main goal: improve safety by eliminating the need for users to back their vehicles to the disposal containers. That safety issue is still vital, taskforce chair (and select board member) Chris French emphasized.

Since discussion began, the town has had an engineer, Jeff Senders (head of Senders science, engineering & construction, of Camden), prepare three possible configurations for a covered, drive-through building that would eliminate backing up except, probably, for commercial haulers.

New station manager, Adam Daoust, has two more goals: improve efficiency and save money. A concept he proposes includes removing the tower and providing two containers, with cover from rain and snow; and allowing two vehicles at a time to dump into the containers, driving by rather than backing up. After the Dec. 11 rainstorm, he emphasized covering all on-site containers, so voters do not pay to truck water to disposal sites.

Taskforce member Amy Davidoff added a third goal: more recycling. Vassalboro now recycles metals and cardboard; Davidoff would like flexibility to add more materials as markets change.

Shannon Conti, an environmental specialist with the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, attended the Dec. 12 meeting. She said any of Senders’ plans appears doable.

Vassalboro has foreclosed on an adjoining property, about five acres with buildings, for unpaid taxes. State law requires the town to sell the property, keep what is owed in taxes and any other charges and give the rest of the proceeds to the prior owners or heirs.

Town officials’ current plan is to sell the house and garage with a minimum lot and keep the rest of the land, perhaps for future transfer station expansion.

Conti provided information on actions that might or might not require DEP pre-approval, and on how to find permit application requirements.

Taskforce members were surprised when Conti said if the town keeps foreclosed land, clears or otherwise changes it, and only afterward makes it part of an expanded transfer station, her division does not care how it is changed. If, however, town officials designate an area for transfer station expansion, they will need a DEP permit to make changes to it.

Daoust would also like to add scales and pave more of the grounds. A new backhoe would be very useful, he added.

French called for taskforce members to reach consensus at their Jan. 9 meeting, to be held in the town office building at 5:15 p.m., before that evening’s select board meeting. Town Manager Aaron Miller summarized their options: do nothing; recommend building Senders’ covered drive-through building; recommend accepting Daoust’s less extensive reconfiguration; or recommend adopting a temporary improvement plan.

Vassalboro conservation committee focuses on town parks

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Vassalboro’s Civil War monument located at the East Vassalboro boat landing. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Conservation Commission members devoted most of their Dec. 18 meeting to updates on two town parks, Monument Park, at the outlet of China Lake in East Vassalboro, and Eagle Park, on Outlet Stream, a short distance north.

At Monument Park, they are working with Jen Jespersen, of the Manchester-based consulting firm Ecological Instincts, on projects to improve China Lake water quality.

Commission member Matthew Pitcher said he met with Jespersen earlier this fall to assess the park’s shoreline buffer. They found no erosion problems, making any changes low priority. But, commission member Peggy Horner said, the buffer should be widened to at least 10 feet.

Commission members decided any new plantings should be low-growing, not bushes that would get tall enough to block the view of China Lake. They plan to use native plants as much as possible, without being totally rigid.

Horner and commission chairman Holly Weidner defined the goal of the plantings as three-fold: erosion control, education (by providing a demonstration lakeside garden) and landscaping the park.

Next steps include deciding on specific plants and developing cost estimates for initial plantings and maintenance.

Commission members reviewed Jespersen’s report on the China Region Lakes Alliance’s 2024 Courtesy Boat Inspection (CBI) program, which stations people at boat landings on China Lake, Three Mile Pond and Webber Pond to look for fragments of invasive plants on boats being launched into the lakes.

No invasives were found. Weidner credited the good record at least partly to the educational effect of the CBI program.

Horner, playing, she said, devil’s advocate, asked whether Vassalboro taxpayers need to continue to support boat inspections, if no invasive plants are detected. Jespersen’s report said the program cost $23,148 in 2024; Weidner found Vassalboro voters appropriated $10,584 as the town’s share.

That amount is a fraction of what it would cost to remove invasive weeds if they were imported, Weidner said. Horner added that a weed-free lake helps keep property values up.

Current Eagle Park issues discussed briefly include the park sign, fencing, handicapped access and the planned pavilion. Weidner said the pavilion’s cement base is done, and she hopes structural work will start early in 2025.

The Vassalboro Public Works Department has been very helpful. Commission members expect to continue to work with new director Brian Lajoie.

Commission member Steve Jones asked whether the public works crew could plow the parking lot for the town forest trail, which begins north of the recreation fields and close enough to the public works garage so that winter trail users park in the public works driveway. Someone from the commission will ask Lajoie.

Commission members briefly reviewed their cooperative arrangement with the Vassalboro Cemetery Committee regarding tree-cutting in town cemeteries. The program Town Manager Aaron Miller presented in October includes:

— Develop a cemetery maintenance plan and an annual budget;
— Each summer, have an arborist and the sexton evaluate trees and recommend any that need to be cut to avoid damaging stones or fences, within budgetary limits;
— Explain to interested committees and residents the recommendations and reasons; and
— Have the cutting done annually after the ground is frozen.

Conservation Commission members scheduled their next meeting for Wednesday evening, Jan. 8, 2025.

Vassalboro select board approves junkyard permits; names Lajoie public works chief

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by Mary Grow

The Dec. 26 Vassalboro select board meeting began with a public hearing on five applications to renew junkyard licenses. Unusually, the hearing drew comments from the audience.

Bill Pullen, owner of a South Stanley Hill Road junkyard, questioned a $10 hearing fee that he said was a new addition to the usual $50 license fee. Town Manager Aaron Miller and select board members said they will consult codes officer Eric Currie.

Audience member Douglas Phillips asked if there were more than five junkyards in town. Pullen thinks there are; Miller said any that were not on the Dec. 26 list could be considered at a later meeting.

Miller said Currie recommended approval of all applications. Select board members unanimously approved 2025 renewals for Pullen; Voit Ritch, on Route 3; Platinum and Core, LLC, on Riverside Drive; Ron’s Parts, on Main Street; and Garnett Motors, on Route 3.

Board members appointed Brian Lajoie, new Director of Public Works, as Vassalboro’s Road Commissioner.

They asked Miller to apply to the Vassalboro School Board for permission to vote at Vassalboro Community School three times in 2025, twice in June (for the open town meeting and local elections) and once in November. November 2024 voting was at the school, instead of the town office; board members want to continue in the larger space.

Miller updated board members on incorporating voting for Vassalboro Sanitary District trustees into municipal voting. Only people living in the area VSD serves will vote for the trustees.

Pullen said he owns a garage and a rental property that VSD serves, but he does not live in its territory; he was surprised that not all bill-payers are also voters. Board chairman Frederick “Rick” Denico, Jr., said that voters do not act on rates; they only choose trustees.

Trustees must be residents of the VSD service area. Miller said nomination papers will be available Feb. 27; he hopes for candidates.

After 20 minutes’ discussion of transfer station manager Adam Daoust’s proposed fee increases, board members decided to seek more information on disposal costs before acting.

Daoust said for some items, like mattresses and furniture, Vassalboro’s fees are the lowest in this part of Maine, leading out-of-towners to try to dump things in Vassalboro, although the transfer station is for town residents only.

“Unfortunately, people lie,” Daoust said.

Returning to plans to have the town-owned Vassalboro Historical Society building painted, discussed Dec. 12 (see the Dec. 19 issue of The Town Line, p. 3), Miller said he received one written proposal. In return for a prompt 25 percent down payment, Miller said, the contractor will schedule work for July or August 2025. Select board member Chris French wanted to see a draft contract.

Phillips said no one seemed to know when the building was last painted. He thought a dozen or so years ago Historical Society volunteers “touched up” three sides.

Also revisited was the application for a handicapped parking space at Hair Builders, on Oak Grove Road, in North Vassalboro. One concern at the Dec. 12 meeting was keeping non-handicapped people from using it; Miller said Vassalboro Police Chief Mark Brown told him all law enforcement officers, not just municipal, can enforce the regulation.

French proposed an annual license, in case the business closes. Denico suggested a one-year trial followed by longer extensions. Miller will consult the town attorney.

The board must hold a public hearing before acting on the request. The hearing will not be at the Jan. 9 meeting.

Board members resumed discussion of Vassalboro’s personnel policy, and will continue again on Jan. 9. Board member Michael Poulin intends to have his suggestions for updating Vassalboro’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan ready by that meeting.

French said a resident asked how Miller chooses documents to put on the website with each select board agenda. Miller said he reproduces information sent to board members, omitting things that shouldn’t be public knowledge, like unaccepted bids.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, January 2, 2025

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

SUNRISE OVER PENOBSCOT BAY: Susan Lombard, of Clinton, captured this sunrise in November.

CURIOUS MANTIS: Joan. Chaffee, of Clinton, photographed this praying mantis exploring her boots.

KEEPING A KEEN WATCH: Amy Boyer snapped this bald eagle as it peruses the countryside.

Albion dairy farmer honored for 60th straight Christmas milking

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Chuck Noyes holds letters from Senator Angus King and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. (Photo by Holly Noyes)

by Gillian Lalime

The Noyes Family Dairy farm, in Albion, is a true family farm. Three generations live on one dead-end road with their family’s surname. Cornfields and barns that store equipment and house animals surround the milk parlor, which is a stone’s throw away from a farmhouse where generations of members from the Noyes Family have been born, lived, and died. Each Christmas Chuck Noyes’ four children and their kids await their grandfather’s return from the cowbarn. There are no days off in dairy farming. Daily the bovines must be fed, milked, and have their spaces cleaned.

Gifts, photos, letters, and stories compiled for Chuck on Christmas morning by his children. These items recognize and celebrate Chuck’s 60 years of farming. (Photo by Holly Noyes)

Chuck Noyes is the family patriarch and owner of Noyes Family Farm. Every day, morning and evening, seven days per week, Chuck milks the herd of 90 holsteins with help from family members and hired farm hands. Morning milking happens at 5:30 a.m., and evening milking at 4:30 p.m., 365 days/year. Without fail, Chuck wakes at 4:30 a.m., each day. A milk truck comes every day or two to deliver the Noyes dairy milk down to Oakhurst Dairy, in Portland.

Chuck’s great-grandfather purchased the family farm in the late 1920s. He was a traveling carpenter. His son, Chuck’s grandpa, worked on the railroad, in Waterville. When the Depression hit and the railroad shut down, their family leaned on their land as a subsistence farm and his grandfather came home from the railroad to grow crops.

His father, Keith, was born in the main farmhouse in 1933 and died in the very same house in 2015. It was Keith Noyes, who started raising a few calves in the late 1950s. Back then the milk from those cows went to a local dairy right in Albion town center called United Dairy. As this grew into a viable financial aspect of the farm, Chuck’s father increased herd numbers, eventually signing a contract with Oakhurst Dairy. Like his father before him, Keith was a hardworking Mainer. When the time came for him to marry, Keith took a handful of days off while he and his bride celebrated their honeymoon. Upon returning home, Keith Noyes didn’t miss a single milking – morning or evening – for 17 years straight. After that streak the man allowed himself a few days here and there for hunting and fishing trips with his buddies. It was for those occasions he decided his son was ready to take on more responsibility with the farm. At age 13, Chuck was milking the dairy herd by himself.

Starting at age eight he was given the task of feeding the calves. “By the time I was nine or ten I was making five dollars per week.” Chuck did his share of daily chores and went to school. At eight years old, Keith gave him the option of not working on Christmas Day. However, they’d still have to wait until all chores were done and his father was home and fed before the children were able to start opening presents. “This got me thinking,” Chuck remembers “If I help out with chores, doesn’t that mean my dad will be in sooner and we can all open Christmas presents earlier?” Thus began Chuck’s first Christmas of working with the family cows. Now, six decades later, the man realized he hasn’t missed a single one since.

Growing up, Chuck Noyes never had any intention of taking over his family farm. After working on the farm all through high school, Chuck went to further his education at the University of Maine in Orono and graduated with no inclination of farming. At his college graduation, Chuck received a handful of job offers, all of which were postponed due to the summer farming season. Thinking he’d just work one summer more on the farm and accept one of the jobs come winter. A smile crinkles to the corners of Chuck’s eyes as he remembers this time “The rest is history”. Chuck never did end up taking one of those jobs; he’s stayed working on his family farm ever since.

“There are days that are good and days that aren’t so good. I worked with my father seven days a week for 50 years.” When asked about his favorite part of the job, Chuck states: “Being your own boss. I tell my kids that the only sh*t I take is from the cows”.

Chuck’s own four children were raised on this land, and grew up working the farm. “I remarried 13 years ago,” says Chuck. It was around eight years ago Chuck’s wife asked if he’d ever not worked on Christmas. “See that got me thinking. It was nothing I ever planned…” but Chuck Noyes has milked every Christmas day since he was eight years old.

What does this generational dairy farmer have to comment on the matter? “I consider myself lucky to have had the health and ability to do it. I consider myself fortunate.”

And so began another cycle of family Christmases on the farm. Chuck’s own children would have to wait for him to get home from milking and chores on the holiday before they ate a traditional Christmas brunch together and finally opened presents. One memorably cold Christmas, the motor on the feed arm of their old concrete vertical silo stopped working. Chuck had to climb up the old silo and hand-shovel feed to the dairy herd. That definitely delayed their family present opening!

So, if holidays and weekends are just as work-filled as any other day, when do dairy farmers relax, reflect, and celebrate? Christmas is one of the few days of the year their family always makes sure to be together. It is a rarity that they actually make time to kick-back, rest, and eat together. The only other time this happens is in the heat of the summer, on their days making hay. Once the day’s hay is cut, dried, baled, and stacked in the barn, this dairying family and hay crew has a tradition of eating a farm-fresh meal together. “It doesn’t matter what time of day we’re finished, it could be 9 p.m., we all sit down at the picnic table together,” says Holly Noyes, one of Chuck’s daughters.

One of the two collapsed barns from December 18, 2023. (photo by Chuck Noyes)

According to Holly, the theme of this year is resilience. Challenges from the past year resulting from the storm last December that collapsed two barns on the Noyes Farm. “Before the December storm last year, our barns withstood two hurricanes. Last December 18 I watched those two barns collapse. It was a different storm than I’d ever seen.” Remarks Chuck. Building a new barn to replace what collapsed in the storm has been much harder than it would have been in the past due to cost of materials and limited availability of building materials and help. Holly had to apply for grants for the farm to receive funds to rebuild their lost structures.

When asked about the future of the farm, Chuck says, “I don’t ever want to see this land sold, and I have no desire to sell it.” When asked about his own future full-time farming at 68 years young, Chuck remarks “As long as I can climb on a tractor and cut hay, I’ll keep farming.” To that he adds, “There’s always a market for hay”.

This Christmas, Chuck’s children planned a special surprise for their father. Over the last month they’ve reached out to friends, neighbors, employees, and community members who have been involved with the Noyes farm over the last many years. They requested a memento such as photos, stories, or favorite memories of Chuck and the farm. Responses poured in! The Noyes children set up a display of these items to surprise Chuck on Christmas morning. Even Senator Angus King and Congresswoman Chillie Pingrie wrote personal letters recognizing and celebrating his achievement! Holly wrote: This 60-year milestone is one Chuck holds close to his heart, feeling incredibly fortunate to have spent these years doing what he loves on Christmas Day.

This year’s recognition certainly caught Chuck by surprise, “I feel very humbled by all the attention I’ve received from everywhere. I definitely did not expect any of this.”

Chuck Noyes on the tractor. (photo by Holly Noyes)

Issue for December 19, 2024

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Issue for December 19, 2024

Celebrating 36 years of local news

Erskine announces Renaissance awards

On Friday, December 13, 2024, Erskine Academy students and staff attended a Renaissance Assembly to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards…

Malcolm Glidden American Legion Post members place wreaths on veterans’ graves

Malcolm Glidden Post #163 and Auxiliary, of Palermo, spent Saturday, December 14, putting wreaths at veterans’ headstones at local cemeteries. The wreaths came from Wreaths Across America…

Town News

Board gets update on student staff wellness team

VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro School Board’s Dec. 10 meeting featured a virtual presentation by two of the three members of the student and staff wellness team at Vassalboro Community School (VCS)…

Select board undertakes several ongoing issues

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members discussed many ongoing issues at their Dec. 12 meeting, and settled five…

Local resident expands on community garden plans

CHINA – China select board members heard two presentations at their Dec. 16 meeting. Resident James Hsiang expanded on the plan for a community garden that he presented in November; and Dr. Timothy Pieh, of Rome, Maine, and MaineGeneral Medical Center, summarized the first year of Kennebec County’s MD3 program…

Transfer station committee tackles two unusually argumentative discussions

CHINA – The Dec. 10 China Transfer Station Committee included two unusually argumentative discussions. The first was on recycling, sparked by station manager Thomas Maraggio’s report that China’s new plastics baler should arrive in a couple months. The baler will let the transfer station accept No. 1 plastic for recycling; it will be baled and stored until a load is ready to be shipped out…

No issue on December 26

There will be no issue of The Town Line on Thursday, December 26, 2024, so the staff can enjoy its annual winter vacation week. The next issue will be published on January 2, 2025. Also, The Town Line office will be closed during that week. The office will reopen on Monday, December 30, 2024, at 9 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Webber’s Pond Comic

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident…

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: “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is January 9, 2025.

The Remembrance Tree

Thank you for helping us commemorate loved ones who have passed!

Local happenings

EVENTS: Blue Christmas ceremony shines light

CENTRAL ME – The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 4th Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends, and those who support them, Saturday, December 21, at sunset, starting at 4 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year. Blue Christmas will feature music, speakers, and a reading of submitted names of loved ones’ lost and the lighting of memorial blue candles…

Obituaries

VASSALBORO – Thomas Frank Siviski, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 5, 2024, following a brave battle with Alzheimer’s. Tom was born on June 12, 1945, the son of Joseph Siviski and Clara (Terrio) Hapworth…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Mother’s Circle in Vassalboro

VASSALBORO – Weekly on Mondays from December 16, 2024 to March 31, 2025, 2:30 p.m. 12 Priest Hill Rd., Vassalboro. Bottom floor of Maine Family Natural Health. FMI please contact Hattie : hattie.welch.ot@gmail.com… and many other local events!

Celebrating Maine history

Click here for all of our recent stories about the local history of Maine!

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Fairfield high schools  (new)

FAIRFIELD HISTORY — This article continues the history of schooling in Fairfield with information on the town’s high schools. It begins with conflicting information about where the first high school classes were held… by Mary Grow

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD HISTORY — After multiple postponements, this article really is about the history of education – elementary education; high schools next week – in Fairfield, the town next upstream from Waterville on the west bank of the Kennebec River. Your writer thanks the Fairfield Historical Society for generously sharing material on the topic… by Mary Grow

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: William Mathews of Waterville

WATERVILLE HISTORY — As noted last week, this biographical sketch of Professor William Mathews, LL.D. (Doctor of Laws), is another follow-up to an earlier account, the Nov. 21 article on Waterville residents Jeremiah Chaplin and James Hobbs Hanson. Mathews was mentioned as a critic of Rev. Chaplin’s preaching… by Mary Grow

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Winslow Schools – Continued

WINSLOW HISTORY — This week’s article was to be a discussion of early schools in Fairfield, continuing the subseries on early education, but again your writer has been distracted. The first diversion, this week, is back to Winslow elementary schools, about which summary information was provided in the Nov. 7 issue… by Mary Grow

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | With all of our Christmas chores wrapped up (pun intended) on Saturday and Sunday mornings, my wife and I binged watched various old, standard Christmas-related films in the evening. While watching these, the thought went through my mind about where did the myth of Santa Claus and his reindeer come from, and when did they start to fly?…

CRITTER CHATTER

by Jayne Winters | As part of our continued stroll down Memory Lane, I found several articles written by Carleen Cote about students who have raised money for Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center. Here is one from August 4, 2001…

A BIBLE MOMENT

by The Village Parson | There was a Texas billionaire whose daughter attended a youth group at a local church. As was their customer, they met at each persons house and it was her turn that week. The father decided to give everyone a tour of his mansion and as he was ending a boy asked what was in the room they hadn’t shown…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Al Jolson – Tell That To The Marines (recorded September 10, 1918); Arthur Fields – You Can’t Beat Us (If It Takes Ten Million More, recorded September 19, 1918). Columbia A2657, ten-inch acoustic shellac disc. Born in Lithuania to a Jewish family, Asa Yoelson (1886-1950), better known as Al Jolson, was a singer who had extraordinary stage presence, vocal power and delivery, and would become extremely successful through stage, film, radio, records and touring…

A BIBLE MOMENT: On the other side of forgiveness, there is a blessing

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by The Village Parson

I also count all things lost, for the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, my lord.

There was a Texas billionaire whose daughter attended a youth group at a local church. As was their customer, they met at each persons house and it was her turn that week. The father decided to give everyone a tour of his mansion and as he was ending a boy asked what was in the room they hadn’t shown.

The father said that he had a fascination with snakes, and there was a swimming pool filled with them. As they approached the pool he comically stated that if anyone wanted to swim across the good sized pool, he would give them the hand of his daughter in marriage or half his estate. No sooner had he finished they heard a splash, to find a young man swimming for all he was worth. The stunned group gathered at the other side and as the young man finished, they fished him out. At once they crowded around him, to find out his decision. At that point, he shrieked “keep everything, who pushed me in?”

The moral being on the other side of forgiveness, there is a blessing, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In contract, it was June 8, 1971, when Nick Ut snapped a photo of a nine-year-old girl running naked out of a Vietnam village that had been napalmed. The photo gripped the entire nation, capturing the horrors of war. The photo went viral, and contributed to bringing about the end of the war.

The photo also affected the mastermind of the bombing, and he was convicted to the core of the realty of the suffering he caused. Upon discharge from the military, he couldn’t shake off the guilt of the tragedy. He ended up divorcing his wife, and began a search for the peace he had lost. He ended up searching for the little girl, to ask forgiveness for what he had done.

Meanwhile, Kim Phuc, the child in the photo had grown up, fled to Canada, and has accepted Jesus as her lord and savior. She then became a spokesperson for UNESCO and became the keynote speaker at a military gathering of veterans, in Washington, DC.

He was attending the meeting when he suddenly realized who she was. He decided that was his chance to ask forgiveness from her, and she would be a symbol for the entire village. He then approached the stage, fighting off the security, and fell humble in front of her. Embracing and weeping together, she graciously forgave him, and he went away with the peace that had alluded him. He ended up becoming a pastor in a small town in Virginia.

This brings me to a favorite package in scripture. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. And also forgive us our sins, (as in like manner) as we forgive others.

The views of the author of this column are not necessarily those of The Town Line newspaper, its staff and board of directors.

CRITTER CHATTER: Reminiscing at the Duck Pond Wildlife Center – Part III

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The late Carleen Cote with a baby fox. (Duck Pond file photo)

by Jayne Winters

As part of our continued stroll down Memory Lane, I found several articles written by Carleen Cote about students who have raised money for Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center. Here is one from August 4, 2001:

“On June 12, fourth graders from Windsor Elementary School, with teachers Julie Clark and Sheila Ready, visited the Center to see the young baby wildlife. They saw fawns, foxes, raccoons, a porcupine, squirrels, as well as the long-time residents – hawks, owls and the adult deer.

Along with the excitement of seeing the young animals, they were extremely excited and proud to present me with a check for $350. The students had prepared posters depicting wildlife and made presentations to students about their posters. They challenged all grades to see which grade could raise the most money. Through the fundraiser, students increased their math skills by sorting and counting the coins and dollars that had been collected. They were very excited to tell me that they had raised the $350 in one week! This is the second year that Windsor Elementary school students selected our Center to be a recipient of their fundraiser – and their donation has gone a long way in providing food and medical care for the critters brought to the Center.

Winslow Junior High School’s eighth grade students in Linda Voss’s class also selected our Center to receive the money they had raised as part of a community service project. Each student selects an organization to donate their funds to and, for the third year, we have been the fortunate recipients, with over $200 donated this year to help feed the wildlife.

As I reported in an earlier article, China Primary School students and Friends of China Schools also made a very generous donation to the Center. All of these students are to be commended for their unselfish donations and the hard work they do to raise funds, and for their thoughtfulness in selecting the wildlife at our Center to benefit from their efforts. Thank you, students! Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered and appreciated.”

I’ll be sharing more of Carleen’s articles over the next few months as Don’s health concerns prevent him from accepting or assessing any wildlife or phone inquiries right now. He has been working with Wilderness Miracles Rehab, in Bowdoin (Kathi at 207-720-0074), Misfits Rehab, in Auburn (Jen at 207-212-1039; she accepts bats and mice), Bridget Green, in Wiscasset (207-631-0874), Critterville Wildlife, in Brooklin (845-549-2407), and Saco River Wildlife (207-702-1405). Pam Meier, at Mid-coast Maine, is a turtle rehabber and can be reached at The Turtle’s Back (203-903-2708). Please check these websites for a rehabber close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html

In addition, you can contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office. – PHONE MESSAGES & EMAILS ARE NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Al Jolson

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Al Jolson

Al Jolson – Tell That To The Marines (recorded September 10, 1918); Arthur Fields – You Can’t Beat Us (If It Takes Ten Million More, recorded September 19, 1918). Columbia A2657, ten-inch acoustic shellac disc.

Al Jolson

Born in Lithuania to a Jewish family, Asa Yoelson (1886-1950), better known as Al Jolson, was a singer who had extraordinary stage presence, vocal power and delivery, and would become extremely successful through stage, film, radio, records and touring.

His mid-’40s Decca 78s were my first exposure to him back during the early ‘60s, in particular his feisty renditions of George and Ira Gershwin’s classic song Swanee River, and Back In Your Own Backyard.

I also have memories of Jolson’s appearance in a 1939 biopic of songwriter Stephen Foster, also titled Swanee River, with Don Ameche.

Jolson starred in the 1927 film, Jazz Singer, which was the first talkie. His frequent appearances in blackface ironically generated respect from African-Americans, a controversy that will not be addressed here.

Tell That To The Marines was also written by Jolson and it is a very enjoyable example of World War I patriotic music, similar to George M. Cohan’s classic Over There.

After a grueling series of concerts entertaining troops overseas fighting in the Korean War, Al Jolson died of a massive heart attack while playing cards with friends at his New York City hotel suite. He was 64.

Side 2’s You Can’t Beat Us is also a stirring WWI ditty. Born Abraham Finkelstein in Philadelphia, baritone Arthur Fields (1884-1953) started recording in 1914 and was the first white singer to perform with an African-American band when he was hired ragtime pianist Ford Dabney.

After a generally successful career, Fields suffered a stroke in early 1953 and was living in a Florida nursing home, in Largo, Florida, where a fire broke out and he and several others perished.

Both selections are available on YouTube.

Christmas Music

Christmas Organ and Chimes – Merlin; Grand Prix KX-4, 12-inch LP, recorded circa 1960.

Usually a little bit of Christmas music on the pop organ and chimes goes a long way. This particular LP from well over 60 years ago and from one of the 87-cent dimestore labels has musicianship, character and intelligence, O Holy Night, Joy To The World and Come All Ye Faithful being given a nicely arranged exquisite treatment.

Information on the very good organist Merlin seems to be non-existent.

Joanna Cassidy

Joanna Cassidy

Still living at 79, actress Joanna Cassidy did good work in a recurring role as Mena Pride, mother of the lead investigator Dewayne Pride between 2019 and 2021, who is suffering from dementia. The range of detail Cassidy brought to her role, including ladylike poise, elegance, dignity, distress, anger and despair was one powerful example of how to craft a performance on film.

Maine Speaks

The anthology Maine Speaks has a poem, Aye! No Monuments, by Rita Joe (1932-2007) who was designated Poet Laureate of the native American Micmacs, who have over 1,500 members residing in Aroostook County (Miss Joe lived most of her life in Nova Scotia.).

It celebrates the wondrous majesty of the Maine and Eastern Canada landscape where so many of her ancestors lived and worked:

“Aye! no Monuments,
No literature,
No scrolls or canvas-drawn pictures
Relate the wonders of our yesterday.

How frustrated the searching
of the educators.

Let them find
Land names,
Titles of seas,
Rivers;
Wipe them not from memory.
These are our monuments.

Breathtaking views-
Waterfalls on a mountain,
Fast flowing rivers.
These are our sketches
Committed to our memory.
Scholars, you will find our art
In names and scenery,
Betrothed to the Indian
since time began.”

PUBLIC NOTICES for Thursday, December 19, 2024

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VASSALBORO

Help Wanted – Truck Driver/Equipment Operator

The Town of Vassalboro is seeking a full-time Truck Driver/Equipment Operator for the Public Works Department.

This is semi-skilled manual work in the operation of front-end loaders, backhoes, trucks and graders, and other related motorized equipment and in the snow and ice removal operation of the public works department.

Employees of this class are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of loaders, graders, backhoes, dozers, excavators, trucks and other power equipment (examples; chippers, compactor, pavement cutter etc) for a portion of the work time. Duties may include the performance of manual labor tasks in a wide variety of manual tasks in connection with operation of the equipment and other functions of the Public Works Department. Work instructions may be received in detail for each job to be performed or may follow an established routine. Work is subject to review while in progress and upon completion by the Road Commissioner.

High school graduation and considerable experience in the operation of heavy trucks and motorized equipment involved in construction or public works activities, or any equivalent combination of experience and training. Employees of this class will be required to have at a minimum a class B license and be willing to if required to obtain a class A license.

Town of Vassalboro offers a competitive hourly wage; all paid holidays, vacation and sick time; and full medical benefits for the employee. For more information, please email Town Manager Aaron Miller at amiller@vassalboro.net or call 207-872-2826.

Notice of Public Hearing

VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro Selectboard will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 26 at the Vassalboro Town Office at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the following junkyard permit applications:

Platinum Core – 1702 Riverside Dr. – Map 2 Lot 18
Stanley Garnett – 1616 N. Belfast Ave. – Map 9 Lot 90
Ron’s Parts – 510 Main St. – Map 12 Lot 3
Voit Ritch – Rt. 3 and Ritch Rd. – Map 9 Lot 105
Bill Pullen – 163 S. Stanley Hill Rd. – Map 12 Lot 22

Probate Notices

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
COURT ST.,
SKOWHEGAN, ME
SOMERSET, ss
NOTICE TO CREDITORS

18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the Estates noted. The first publication date of this notice December 19, 2024. If you are a creditor of an Estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors or be forever barred.

You may present your claim by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by the Personal Representative’s name a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-C M.R.S. §3-804.

2024-331 – MATTHEW J. SITES, late of Athens, Maine deceased. Dawn M. Sites, 21 N. Independence Dr., Montross, Virginia 22520 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-374 – EVANGELINE L. RICHARDSON, late of Anson, Maine deceased. David A. Richardson, 11 Campbell Road, Anson, Maine 04911 and Donna L. Poulin, 41 Campbell Shore Road, Gray, Maine 04039 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

This notice is especially directed to Dale Richardson, heir of EVANGELINE L. RICHARDSON, address unknown.

2024-376 – JEANETTE A. JACQUES, late of Bingham, Maine deceased. Robert A. Jacques, P.O. Box 136, Bingham, Maine 04920 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-377 – RICHARD L. JAZOWSKI, late of Madison, Maine deceased. Linda L. Jazowski, 259 White School House Road, Madison, Maine 04950 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-378 – JAMES A. DOYLE, JR., late of Mercer, Maine deceased. Vivian M. Doyle, 310 Elm Street, Mercer, Maine 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-380 – DOUGLAS C. ANNETT, late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. Linda M. Annett, P.O. Box 751, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-383 – JAMES E. WADE, late of Norridgewock, Maine deceased. Diana L. Wade, P.O. Box 116, Norridgewock, Maine 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-384 – BARBARA T. QUALEY, late of North Anson, Maine deceased. Christopher G. Qualey, 12 Winterberry St., South Portland, Maine 04106 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-385 – MARILYN D. GORMAN, late of New Portland, Maine deceased. Robert W. Gorman, 47 Edgemont Ave., Waterville, Maine 04901 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-386 – ELAINE C. BARRY, late of Fairfield, Maine deceased. Tammy Barry, 561 Daiquiri Place, Daytona Beach, Florida 32124 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-387 – THOMAS E. QUINT, late of Pittsfield, Maine deceased. Nancy A. Quint, 75 Beach St., South Portland, Maine 04106 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-389 – JOSEPH H. MANZO, late of Fairfield, Maine deceased. Kathleen E. Hill, 445 Ridge Road, Fairfield, Maine 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-391 – BETTY J. CODY, late of Madison, Maine deceased. Bernadette M. Christen, 723 Ward Hill Road, Norridgewock, Maine 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-392 – CORRILLA D. HASTINGS, late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. John D. Hastings, 180 Harts Neck Road, St. George, Maine 04860 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-393 – BARBARA A. MCGOWAN, late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. Karyn L. Sylvain, 144 Beech Hill Rd., Norridgewock, Maine 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-395 – LAWRENCE A. TILTON, JR., late of Skowhegan, Maine deceased. Suzanne C. Tilton, 102 Oak Pond Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-398 – NORMAN F. VOELKEL, late of North Anson, Maine deceased. Lady Patricia Voelkel, 412 River Road, North Anson, Maine 04958 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-399 – DIANNE MCCOLLOR, late of Madison, Maine deceased. Christopher S. McCollor, 152 Raintree Blvd. Niceville, Florida 32578 appointed Personal Representative.

2024-400 – JULI E. HUNT, late of New Portland, Maine deceased. Silver W. Hunt, 42 Old Dead River Road, Stratton, Maine 04982 appointed Personal Representative.

TO BE PUBLISHED December 19, 2024 & January 2, 2025

Dated: December 19, 2024
/s/Victoria M. Hatch,
Register of Probate
(1/2)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, ss
SKOWHEGAN, ME

PROBATE NOTICES

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW

Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates or change of name. These matters will be heard at 10 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be on January 8, 2025. The requested appointments or name changes may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-C MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2024-390 – DEBORAH ANN MOODY. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Deborah A. Moody, 1284 East Ridge Road, Cornville, Maine 04976 requesting name to be changed to Debra Ann Moody for reasons set forth therein.

Dated: December 19, 2024

/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(1/2)