The China Food Pantry at 1320 Lakeview Drive in China. (photo by Eric Austin)
The China Community Food Pantry thanks all those in town who donated food in the US Postal Food Drive. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
Ann Austin, director
China Community Food Pantry
To the editor:I want to thank Roland Hallee for his informative article on wolverines (Things you see in the dark, The Town Line, June 9, 2022 issue, page 7). Thank you also for this opportunity to add to the information contained in Mr. Hallee’s column.
Wolverines appear to be increasing their numbers and range in North America. In addition to the sighting reports noted in Mr. Hallee’s column, five wolverine sightings occurred in Utah in 2021, several of which were believed to have been the same animal. One sighting was of an animal less than twenty miles from Salt Lake City. A wolverine was also trapped and radio-collared in Utah by state biologists in March 2022. From 2004 to 2010, a female wolverine lived on Michigan’s Lower Peninsula until it died of natural causes. In December 2020, the first video footage was made of a wolverine inside Yellowstone Park and up until 2018, a wolverine was known to be living in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.
Just as they wrongly denied the presence of resident lynx in Maine to forestall a federal listing, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife denies the presence of wolverines in Maine. Of course, the Department has no proof since absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.
It is known that both wolves and wolverines can travel a thousand miles or more in search of a mate and a suitable territory, therefore, it is not outside the realm of possibility that a wolverine was seen in Vassalboro. A Canadian study documented twenty-one lynx that crossed the St. Lawrence River, including one that traveled from Newfoundland to Labrador and south across the St. Lawrence to Quebec where it was trapped. If wolves and lynx can do it, so can wolverines.
John Glowa
South China
Dear editor:My name is Sherri “Dowe” Gamble and I am writing in regards to Jennifer Tuminaro’s bid for the House Seat in District 62. I was the manager of the China Dine-ah from 2007-2014.
This is where I met Jennifer.
Jennifer left her job at MBNA so she could spend more time at home with her family. At the time she had two small children. She applied for a part time job at the China Dine-ah, in China, and was a very dedicated worker. She worked through dinner rushes with smooth capabilities and never got flustered no matter how hectic it became. Jennifer took her job very seriously and made sure her tables, as well as those around hers, were always satisfied with the service.
During Jennifer’s time at the Dine-ah she became pregnant with her third child. This didn’t slow her down one bit. She had an incredible work ethic and I commended her for always being willing to help out when needed.
When Jennifer’s children became school age it didn’t surprise me at all when she decided to home school them. She set up a class room and with her classic efficiency has home schooled all four children. Reading their end of the year accomplishments is always a treat. As a former Title 1 Reading teacher, I can very much appreciate the type of dedication it takes to set up a learning environment that keeps your children ready to learn.
I believe Jennifer Tuminaro would be a huge asset for the towns of China, Windsor, Palermo, Somerville and Hibberts Gore and that she will work hard for these communities. I wish her the best in the upcoming election.
Sherri (Dowe) Gamble
China
To the editor:Time for the annual plea to stop littering Lakeview Drive and other China roads. Is there a way to appeal to otherwise thoughtful drivers? Paper and plastic cups, beer and soda cans, paper plates, plastic spoons, plastic bags, napkins, etc? Why not just keep it in the car and dispose of it as you know you should? Car litterbags are easy to come by, you’ll feel better, and it takes less effort than running the window down and tossing stuff out. To the drivers who drink beer while driving, please re-think what you are doing for more important reasons. Hey, it won’t be necessary to get rid of evidence in case you are stopped! Let’s create a litter-free China and give a friendly toot if you see someone walking and picking up litter. Those good deeds are appreciated BUT they won’t solve the problem, all drivers need to be heroes!
Richard Dillenbeck
China
To the editor:I had the privilege of driving Rep. Holly Stover as she knocked on doors in South Bristol this week. The experience of riding and chatting informally with Holly and witnessing her interaction with voters only deepened my commitment to this champion of working people.
While I was familiar with the broad strokes of her resume – 23 years working within our state’s Health and Human Services agency, currently executive director of Lincoln County Dental, a small grassroots dental agency that delivers oral health services to those who need them most (and if you’ve ever had a toothache, you understand how critical dental health is to our mental well-being!) and also program director for a Boothbay peninsula-focused addiction outreach council – three hours of lively conversation as we drove from house to house to house only increased my appreciation of her work on behalf of me and my neighbors.
She’s done it all, from dealing with teens at the Lincoln County Group home to bathing elderly adults. She’s been spit on (literally, not figuratively) and she’s developed and helped to implement important state-wide programs that have helped hundreds, if not thousands of Mainers, navigate challenging journeys of substance abuse or difficult, even life-threatening health issues.
As we drove and talked I realized that, always, always, always Holly’s focus has been on making certain that the people of Maine, our neighbors, you, or me, have the best shot at making a decent – not an extravagant, not an unearned – but the best shot at making a decent life for ourselves. And what more can any of us ask? Holly understands and works from the point of view that folks don’t need (and don’t want) a hand-out but that sometimes the best of us needs a “hand-up.”
I urge you to make certain you vote for Rep. Holly Stover in our upcoming June 14 primary election. We need her to continue her service to the people of the Midcoast and all of Maine in Augusta.
Geoff Bates
South Bristol
To the editor:Please join me in voting for Katrina Smith as State Representative on June 14 in the primary elections. The representative area will be District #62, which includes China, Palermo, Somerville, and Windsor.
When asked what she perceives to be our state’s greatest challenge over the next ten years, she replied, “The greatest challenge to Maine is rebuilding our economy after the loss of thousands of businesses throughout the pandemic. The state has one of the worst business environments in the country and, without improving it, we will not keep the next generation in Maine and will not see prosperity for our people but only further dependence on state resources.” (https://ballotpedia.org/Katrina_Smith).
We have seen so many small businesses forced to close because of COVID restrictions. We need to help regenerate small businesses, again. I believe Katrina is the person to help us do this. Katrina lives with her family in Palermo, and she says she loves the hardworking people who believe in the way life should be. Please join us at the polls and make a positive change for Maine!
Bonnie Hunter
Palermo
To the editor:Please vote for Katrina Smith for House District #62, serving China, Palermo, Somerville, Windsor and Hibberts Gore. Katrina is a voice of reason and principle that will stand up for freedom and liberty for all Mainers. She will push back against the heavy hand of governmental mandates and will fight to make sure parents have the right to direct their children’s education.
She will work to improve health care in Maine by fighting for healthcare workers. She will also fight against over taxation, and work to allow Mainers to keep more of their own paychecks, allowing people to live affordably in our great state.
Katrina will work to develop a robust pro Maine business culture. We need Katrina and many more like her in the State House fighting back against the tyranny of bigger and bigger government. Vote for Katina Smith on June 14!
Al Fereshetian
Turner
To the editor:Although I realize they probably have no effect, this is the third message sent to the Russian government since the Ukraine invasion started:
As a great-grandfather, old enough to remember the horrors of WW II, I again appeal to the sensibilities of the Russian people to stop this insanity of armed conflict in Ukraine. You’ve already shown you can destroy a country’s infrastructure and kill thousands, isn’t that enough?
What about all your young people who have died in the conflict? What about all the Russians with means who have fled your country? Is Mr. Putin not concerned about Russia’s future? Stop this madness, please. Simply withdraw your forces from Ukraine, make peace and ask the world’s forgiveness. It would do wonders for your magnificent country, your people, and the world’s impression of Russia. PLEASE!
Richard Dillenbeck
South China
To the editor:We want to thank the volunteers from the “China for a Lifetime’ committee and others who came to help cut up “Grandfather Pine” (as we always called him) and did so much more. We truly never could have done any of that ourselves. We will never forget your kindnesses.
Thank you.
Rosalyn Vance
Roni Newton
China
To the editor:We are writing to show our support for Jennifer Tuminaro as she runs for public office. As the soccer coach for Solid Rock, Jen leads humbly, giving clear instruction while coming alongside to help guide those around her. Coach Tuminaro embodies what it means to be a servant leader. She is not afraid of getting down in the trenches with people. She can be seen doing intense drills and exercises alongside the team, even on a 90-degree day, leading by example and showing them that they can do hard things.
We have also observed her on the sidelines engaging with kids and parents alike, some of who are traversing hardships in life, while offering a listening ear and compassionate heart. She is the loudest voice on the field cheering our kids on, and she motivates our children to a standard of excellence, both on and off the field. Coach Tuminaro has a passion for the success of the next generation, inspiring our youth to be leaders and young men and women of integrity.
When problems arise, Jen seeks solutions and is not afraid to ask for help if needed. An example of this was when Covid affected sports throughout Maine. Coach Tuminaro, who is also the athletic director and representative for the MCSSL Sports League, spent countless hours making phone calls, keeping up on ever-changing protocols, and found ways where we could safely participate in the soccer season. It was a daunting task but one she pursued ardently. Her hard work was reflected on the smiling faces of our children as they were able to participate in group sports in this unprecedented time of isolation.
One of Jen’s many strengths is that she is a great communicator who has a heart to hear and understand others, even those whom she may not agree with. This important skill, coupled with her respect for people of all ages and stages, makes her very approachable. Jennifer Tuminaro inspires others to be the best versions of themselves. She is the kind of leader who can capably handle the hard issues of our day while also remaining kindhearted and accessible. Jennifer Tuminaro is a breath of fresh air in the polluted world of politics.
The Solid Rock Soccer parents
China