Grants to help complete library elevator

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The Skowhegan Free Public Library has announced a matching grant to go towards the completion of the library’s elevator tower. An anonymous library patron will contribute $5,000 if five other donors will donate $1,000 each.

Contributed photo

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of September 22, 2016

Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

WALLS, you simply must tell our faithful readers about all you would talk about this week, if  you could talk.  I am amazed at all that has happened for you in just one week!

Well, WALLS, you know me well and know, for sure, that this great-grandma absolutely loves to have busy young-ones frolicking around.  Most of them were our great-granddaughter Reese’s age, but after he got his bare feet, her brother Owen Paine showed that he wanted to climb steps.  Grandma Linda and Grandpa “Tiger” Holt kept very busy being busy.  One young student whom I was so thrilled  to talk to sings, plays the violin, tap-dances, and even created a very unusual scrapbook. She will soon appear in a play in Waterville! Frankly. WALLS, her life reminded me of when I was very young and the same path was followed.  Oh, the birthday cake that Reese made was perfect.
Yes, WALLS, I know you are eager to tell about the Skowhegan Heritage Council’s hosting the 10th “Last Rose of Summer” Day.  This year, as usual, all the Heritage groups in Somerset County were invited.  Gail Kay, the chairman of Skowhegan Heritage Council was in charge of the council’s guest book and energetically told of the work that she and her husband painted the walls of the Dudley Corner School.  Yes, faithful readers, the Skowhegan Heritage Council has been diligent over these many years in restoring the Dudley Corner School, which not only schooled students, but the schoolhouse was, at one time, a meeting house for town meetings, was home to Boy Scout meetings and even has bragging rights to having Knights of Columbus meetings there.  Former Skowhegan Town Manager Pat Dickey encouraged fund raisers for the work done to the school’s exterior and for the erection of the present historic sign.

Yes, WALLS, it is time for you to tell of the piece-de-resistance to the LAST ROSE OF SUMMER DAY event held at the Margaret Chse Smith Library, on September 14.  Skowhegan’s Senator Margaret Chase Smith definitely did everything possible for her Skowhegan and Maine people.  Well, the red rose decorated the table….a single red rose was centerpiece.

There was also sheet music of  Piece I Leave With You  centered with the red rose, as, surely Senator Smith leaves us ‘peace’. Oh, yes, there were lots of red, white and blue plates filled with cookies and there was iced tea to drink, but the best of the best was music by Robert Choinier.  Senator Smith loved music and surely she was looking down from her “special fluffy cloud’”and smiling.  Yes, Senator Smith surely loved the variety of songs played by Robert and which echoed through the rooms of the senator’s former home and who called this magnificent house “home in Skowhegan.” Yes, David Richards, though working in his office for UMO, joined us, as did Angie, John and other members  of the senator’s team.  Oh, WALLS wonder if you know the red rose is our national flower and why?

Heather Johnson, executive director of Somerset Economic Development, stopped by en route from Jackman and said she remembers Senator Smith’s waving from her favorite porch chair to people driving past her house and her waving a “welcome” to those whom she loved so much.

Now, WALLS, the latest news you should bring to our faithful readers.  Fr. John Massie announced that Father Rasle will be highlighted at the Madison Historical Society’s Museum, on Old Point Avenue, in Madison, on Sunday afternoon.

Husson University announces spring honors

The following students have been named to the Spring 2016 honors list at Husson.

Sebastian Atkins-Taylor, of Augusta,  is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in mass communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Lelia Belanger, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in biology program.

Michayla Dostie, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Mary-Anne MacArthur, of Canaan, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s associate of science in paralegal studies and a bachelor of science in psychology program.

Owen Freeman, of Freedom, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Nicholas Maney, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Christine Boucher, of Oakland, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in kinesiology-human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.

Mikhaila Necevski, of Oakland, is a freshman who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Megan Mahoney, of Palermo, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in elementary education program.

Alyssa Doucette, of Skowhegan, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in criminal justice and bachelor of science in psychology with a mental health rehabilitation technician/community (MHRT/C) certification program.

Anne-Marie Provencal, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.

Anthony Toneatti, of Solon, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in live sound technology program.

Samuel Stevens, of South China, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in business administration program.

Samantha McLaughlin, of Starks, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Briana Oliver, of Starks, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in forensic science program.

Alyssa Willette, of Unity, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Caleb Cummings, of Windsor, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Christine Parrilli, of Winslow, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of September 15, 2016

Oh, WALLS, you did have The Town Line talk-talk ready to send for publication on September 15, but the people of our U.S.A. brought so many memories, good, bad, and ugly of our fateful 9/11, 15 years ago, you told me you just couldn’t send your usual bit of froth with all those sad stories that were told by those who survived that disastrous day or stories of those who are no longer with us. Yes, WALLS, 9/11/2001, may be 15 years ago, but for us who remember it well, it is a day that will forever be another “day-in-infamy.”

Aside from seeing the horror that those in New York City had to live through, my mind turned to my friend Linda, who used to be the manager of East Madison’s Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. She lived in a NYC apartment and usually took the subway to the USPS Office in Manhattan, but this 9/11 was a work day that gave her an appreciation of the beautiful blue sky above, so she opted to walk. Yes, she says that God gave her a beautiful day for walking, but chose to give the passengers of the planes’ flying into those towers his word that he had another job for them to do for him. Yes, so many stories were told by their survivors yesterday……and I remembered Linda, WALLS.

That 9/11 occurred when Herb Paradis was conducting theatre tours to New York City. He talked with me about it and said that he wished there was something his touring group could do for a Maine gift to those who risked their lives to comfort others. I suggested Maine apple pies, and so it was. When North Star Orchards asked why I needed so many apples, I told them and, in their own generous way, they donated the apples. This isn’t the end of the story, WALLS.

There was a fire station close to where the tour was staying, so Herb delivered 52 Maine apple pies, and many thanks to the firemen there. Yes, Herb told me that firemen do cry!

So, faithful readers, you have now learned that September 11, 2016, was a day that we could mourn the dead and injured of 15 years ago, but it was a day for Maine to be proud for its expression of caring for our neighbors, even though they are several states away. Lest We Forget, faithful readers, lest we forget.

Area students earn dean’s list at University of Maine

The following area students have earned dean’s list ranking for the fall 2015 semester at the University of Maine:

Paige Castonguay and Thad Chamberlain, both of Benton; Jack Brannigan, of Chelsea; Aaron Brown and Tiffany Clifford, both of Clinton; Hannah Grover, East Vassalboro; David Austin, Paige Belanger, Nicole Bowen, Josie Champagne, Hannah Chavis, Meaghan Foster, Zachary Hale, Paige Hanson, Samantha King, Alex Leathers, Joseph Leclair, Lindsay Morris, Anthony Sementelli and Lawryn White, all of Fairfield; Samuel Dubois, Kirsha Finemore, Erik Holmsen, Forest LeBlanc, Samantha Mathieu, Emily Pellerin, Benjamin Schaff, Cody Stevens and Allan Walsh, all of Oakland; Emily Deering, Eleanora French, Alyssa Gartley, Alton Hawk, Kaitlyn Hayward, Jade McGuire, Gregory O’Connor, James Poulin, Sarah Poulin, Elena Smith, Brittany White and Katherine Wight, all of South China: Taylor Bailey, Marissa Bovie, Moriah Cloutier, Patrick Meunier, Jeffrey Pulver and Nathaniel Trask, all of Vassalboro; Alexander Danner, Cassandra Dechaine, Grace Gould, Lucas Higgins, William Hoffman, James Lavin, Ryan Lopes, Morgan Pellerin, Nicole Pinnette, Waleed Rahmatullah, James Robe, Mathew Rumsey, Amy Samson, Allison Scully and Todd Serbent, all of Waterville; Chase Drummond, of Weeks Mills; Sarah Allisot, Cady Hockridge and Emma Wilkinson, all of Windsor; Sean Ducker, Ryan Dutil, Brian Ouellette, Karlee Price, Sierra Savage, Rachel Sirois, Gabriel Smith, Aysha Vear and Elizabeth Weiss, all of Winslow; Trevor Diemer, Zoli Kertesz and Briana Littlefield, all of Freedom; Adriana martineau and Ethan Poisonnier, both of Norridgewock; Corrine Anderson, Kirstie Belanger, Ryley Burkhart, Nicoltee Curran, Jaden Dickinson, Cody Dillingham, Elijah Holland, Kaylin Knott, Rhiannon LaPlante, Briann Prentiss, Jillian Redmond and Nicole Sevey, all of Skowhegan; Tamika LaCroix, of Solon; and Joshua Savoy and Bronwyn West, both of Liberty.

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of September 8, 2016

Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

First, WALLS, you must extend appreciation to The Town Line’s Roland Hallee for telling about the ‘plant growth’ at Webber Pond. For better or worse, those green things growing are also being monitored by the Lake Wesserunsett Association in Madison by the Lake Quality Committee. And, that is a perfect lead-in to the Somerset Woods event to which Lew and I were invited for a great and interesting evening at Canaan Farmers’ Building a couple weeks ago.

Somerset Woods President Jack Gibson led the really fine event , which also introduced Amy Rowbottom’s wonderful cheeses that she makes and sells at Crooked Face Creamery and at the Skowhegan Farmer’s Market. WALLS, wasn’t it superb to see so many folks that we hadn’t seen for a long time? What’s more, this was the first sonservation and awards celebration to be held since Somerset Woods was formed in 1927, likely the oldest land trust in Maine. Louise Helen Coburn (1856 – 1949) of Skowhegan, botanist, historian, poet, author, philanthropist and visionary, initiated the Somerset Woods Trustees and was its first president. She was our famed Governor Abner Coburn’s sister.

Speaking of the trustees, presently, besides “Jack” Gibson, Atty. Ernest Hilton, Gregory Dore, Davida Barter, Joe Dembeck, Dr. Ann Dorney, Kate Drummond, Robert Haynes, Eric Lahti, Roger Poulin, Atty. Warren Shay and Chris Young hold that position. Executive director is Nancy Williams.

Honorary trustees are: Donald Eames, Kirby Hight, William F. Reid, Jr. and Clinton Townsend and very deserving trustees and members were presented awards: Conservation: “Bill” Townsend and ‘Will” Reid. Stewardship: Patty VanHorn and Jeff McCabe.

A special presentation was made to Roger Poulin for Roger Poulin Trail.

What a pleasure it was to have Tom Abello, director of external affairs, the Nature Conservancy, as the keynote speaker. Yes, Tom’s message was especially interesting and I asked him to be on Now You Know that is hosted by Chris Perkins on Ch.11, as I learned that there is so much to know about conserving Maine lands and, particularly, we must care about Somerset County lands.

Never to be forgotten to tell you faithful readers about is the special tribute made by the Skowhegan Garden Club at Coburn Park. Yes, there’s a new Mountain Laurel planted there by the club.

Well, WALLS, you generously spoke of Roland Hallee’s telling about Webber Pond, but Percy of Solon & Beyond left all of our faithful readers with his special memoir on September 1. Quote:

“There’s a special art to living…… Don’t waste your time in waiting for the world to come to you. You have to climb the mountain to appreciate the view!” Percy said more, but, surely, his words are a great message for everyone.”

Yes, WALLS, this is a special message as students begin their 2016-2017 school year.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute announces spring dean’s list

The following local residents were among 1,292 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) named to the university’s dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2016 semester, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Mikayla Bolduc, of Skowhegan, is a member of the class of 2017 majoring in biomedical engineering.

Madison Michaud, of Vassalboro, is a member of the class of 2019 majoring in biomedical engineering.

Julia Pershken, of Albion, is a member of the class of 2017 majoring in civil engineering.

Area students on Husson University’s presidents list

The following area students have been named to the Spring 2016 presidents list at Husson University, in Bangor.

Lyndsay Weese, of Athens, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Shayne Brown, of Augusta,  is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Marketing Communications program.

Sophia Ramirez, of Augusta, ME is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.

Tabitha Willman, of Augusta, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Management program.

Samuel Jandreau, of China, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Zoe Mather, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Tyler Rollins, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Undeclared program.
Courtney Smart, of Cornville, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Leah LaBree, of East Vassalboro, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Spencer Folsom, of Fairfield, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Tennyson Martin, of Fairfield, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Kyleigh Plourde, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) Certification program.

Alexis Prescott, of Liberty, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Makaela Michonski, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Amanda Saucier, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Darian Hughes, of Oakland, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology program.

Raina Rauch, of Palermo, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Kaitlyn Grover, of Skowhegan, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Cailee Manzer, of Skowhegan, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Ali York, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management program.

Christina Belanger, of South China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Meghan Farrell, of Vassalboro, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies program.

Destiny Silcott, of Windsor, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Logan Vashon, of Winslow, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of August 25, 2016

Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

WALLS, you have so much to tell our faithful readers about, how are you going to write within the word-count?  First, you must thanks Roland Hallee, author of the Scores and Outdoors column in The Town Line newspaper, for telling about the pileated woodpecker.  Yes, they are so beautiful and, frankly, we see them here lakeside only as they migrate and perch on our tree trunks.  And he wasn’t migrating but we loved the visit from Grandson Marc Denis.  He drove to Maine from Virginia and his Sargeant Construction job there, but was here for only a few days. Yes, since his degree from the University of Maine at Orono, he’s definitely made us proud and we see Marc’s ‘Mountain’ on Rte. 2 or Marc’s ‘Hospital’ on Rt.201 when we drive in Maine.

Actually, this has been quite a week, as the family gathered when Elene and George Higgins celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  Yes, and as I looked for a photo in our scrapbooks today, I saw photos of all the young children and grandchildren who have certainly grown up while we grew older!  Did you get that, WALLS?  We grandparents haven’t grown OLD…..but are young-at-heart!

That said, WALLS, you have reawakened a memory about Skowhegan Fair….again.  Well, actually that memory began right here
lakeside as the living room had to have some re-arranging.  Yup, there was the blown-glass boat that was sitting in the fish tank, which was chosen as the best to keep it safe in.  Do you know why that glass boat is so precious in our house?  Well, here we go with memories of Skowhegan Fair again.  It was the days of Gerald Marble’s being the chairman of the fair.  Now, anyone who knew him knew that seldom did anyone speak up to Gerald Marble of the Skowhegan Savings Bank.  Well, son Russell Denis’s first job was at the back gate at the fairgrounds and Mr. Marble appeared without his usual pass.  Now, Russ had been told to never let anyone through unless he/she had a pass.  You’ve guessed it, faithful readers, Russ said ‘sorry,’ and Mr. Marble had to go all the way home for his Pass.

Oh, yes, folks, much was assured over the years that nothing happened to the the blown-glass boat which was purchased for mom with his first paycheck.  Yes, Russ’ cat did jump into the fish tank, but was retrieved without incident, but now, faithful readers, you have heard about one more memory of Skowhegan Fair.

So, faithful readers, always remember your Skowhegan Fair memories……always.  Life is a great trip, but it is the memories that we have from our earliest years that is the magnificent auto by which we travel.

Three area students named to the University of Vermont dean’s list

The following local students have been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester at the University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vermont:

Delaney Curran, of Skowhegan. Curran is a biology major in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Kaitlyn Sutter, of Palermo. Sutter is a professional nursing major in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Emily Higgins, of Waterville). Higgins is an athletic training education major in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.