Two well-known Central Maine companies join forces

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On April 1, AFC completed the acquisition of the fuel/propane and service segments of J&S Oil, Inc., of Manchester.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for what the J&S team has built over the years. They have been a trusted member of the Augusta and Winslow communities and we intend to carry on that legacy,” assured Marc V. Lacasse, AFC President and CEO. “We are very excited to begin working with the excellent staff and wonderful customers that J&S has created relationships with over the last 44 years.”

J&S offices on Western Avenue, in Manchester, and Augusta Road, in Winslow, will continue to operate as usual with the same staff customers have come to know and trust over the years. AFC also operates their main office on Northern Avenue, in Augusta, and a satellite office on Mutton Lane, in Clinton.

AFC has served the greater Augusta area since 1888. Their mission is to provide the best home and commercial comfort solutions with a professionalism and reliability that is unmatched. They currently deliver oil, kerosene, propane and commercial fuel products and provide heating, plumbing, cooling and electrical services and installations – 24/7/365 – to Central Maine. More information can be found at afccomfort.com.

Albion Neighborhood News

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Tax season is hopefully over for most of us unless you file quarterly or late . NOW we have black fly season to look forward to. Oh and for those working in the woods, “mud season”. I do believe mud season came a bit early this year, but there is no way to escape it.

Across the street from me sits what use to be a very nice little house. The elderly lady who lived there was related to many in town. After she passed on and the house was sold, it has gone through numerous people. Finally the bank repossessed it they are now cleaning it out. I have never seen so much stuff come out and be thrown into dumpsters, trailers, pick-ups as this weekend. Being the nosey type, I asked if they had bought it. I was told no, they got a letter telling them to go clean it out. How sad that people just leave what few possessions they have to be thrown on dumpsters or for others to clean out.

On that subject though, I live in a big house and sometimes dream of the day I can look down and see my children cleaning out our house. I am not sure it would make up for all of the messy dirty rooms they had but it would give me some satisfaction.

Is it time to vote for President? This comedy routine is getting old. I just want someone who will protect us from encroaching enemies, not spend our hard earned money on lavish vacations or redoing the white house and who will have expectations that those who can work have to work. Riots in the streets and looting use to be dealt with basically by death, but now it appears to be celebrated. People are becoming more violent and it is not the weapons that are, it is the people themselves. Then there are those who want to allow males and females in the same public bathrooms at the same time. We are suppose to protect our children not set them up like it is a store where someone can pick out the one they want. Where are the child abuse workers and advocates in their opinions on this. We have laws that are suppose to protect children. So we forget them and allow someone who believes or feels they are a different sex to set a precedence whereby child molesters have easy access to children! Great thinking! I long for the 50’s.

I realize this is a dark column this week, but someone has to say it. Until next week…

Mary Lee Rounds 437-2475 mlrounds@hotmail.com

Mary Grow honored at town meeting

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Mary Grow & Tim Theriault

Contributed photo

The 2016 China Town Report was dedicated to Mary Grow, right,  and the Maine House of Representatives presented her with a Legislative Sentiment, presented in the photo by Rep. Tim Theriault, right, recognizing Mary’s contribution to her community for local reporting in the media and by her other contributions to the town of China. Mary also serves as librarian at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village.

Fran Purnell Honored for Years of Dedication

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For over 40 years Fran Purnell organized, coached and managed the Waterville Little League program. Fran’s entire spring, summer nights and weekends were dedicated to building the baseball program to a level of excellence. Thousands of children learned the fundamentals of the game while Fran stressed sportsmanship and the importance of respect on and off the field.

Fran and his volunteers renovated the field on Mathews Avenue, in Waterville. He overhauled the infield and outfield, backstop, dugouts and snack shacks, installed a flag pole, PA system, remote scoreboard and field lights, built a storage area and press box and raised the pitcher’s mound to specifications.

In honor of Fran’s work and dedication the Matthews Field in Waterville was renamed the Purnell Little League Field.

In 1990 Fran started the “Challenger Division” so that children and adults with disabilities could flourish in the game. After 26 years Fran still plays an active role each and every Friday evening coaching and supporting the program at Purnell Field.

In gratitude and in honor of Fran’s unselfish commitment to the youth and families, the city of Waterville, along with the Alfond Youth Center, will renovate the Purnell Field to become a licensed Major League Baseball Turf field with an ADA surface to be called the Purnell Wrigley Field.

Fran Purnell Honored

(Photo by Carol Fredette, Central Maine Photography staff)

Whereas the City of Waterville is truly grateful for the important work of Fran Purnell, his family and the many volunteers, for improving the quality of life for so many of the city’s residents; Waterville Mayor Nicholas Isgro, on behalf of the City Council, recognized April 23, 2016, in honor of Fran “Mr. Baseball” Purnell as the official Fran Purnell Day  during the opening ceremony of the 2016 baseball season.

Fran Purnell Day, honoring a man who gave 45 years of volunteer service to the Challenge Program (Kids with special needs) and the Cal Ripken and Little League baseball program. In his honor the Alfond Youth Center and the city of Waterville will be building the only licensed MLB ADA turf ballfield in New England – The Purnell Wrigley Field, named  after the Chicago Cubs ballfield. Now, Central Maine will have the only two licensed ballparks in the country – Maine’s Fenway and Purnell Wrigley Field. City Councilor Sydney Mayhew and Mayor Nick Isgro read a proclamation of the Fran Purnell Day. Over 150 Cal Ripken youth players were on hand as well as some of Fran’s former players.