Local author’s novel gets “stellar” review

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by Roy E. Perry

Set in Waterville, Maine, Lucy’s in the Neighborhood, by David M. Carew, is an intriguing and stellar whodunit—a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Miss Lucy Bouchier is the owner and proprietor of Lucy’s in the Neighborhood, a popular corner market, in Waterville. The corner market is near the Two-Cent Bridge, and there Lucy specializes in serving up tasty Italian sandwiches, pizza, and whoopie pies. At age 64, Lucy is the star of the show. Specializing in her own zany brand of humor and with a loving heart as big as the State of Maine, she passes the downtime in her store by sharing stories from her past with her best friend and coworker, Jasmine. One day Lucy launches into the true story of a horrendous crime from 1972.

The story centers around the assault of a pretty teenager, 17-year-old Katherine Ambers, and her death two weeks after the assault. Investigating the case is Detective Ed O’Shaughnessy. Before her death, the only clue that Katherine is able to give O’Shaughnessy is that the assailant kept saying “animal” and “cracker” or “animal cracker.”

O’Shaughnessy has two “quasi”-suspects or “persons of interest” who may have committed the crime: a white racist named O’Casey (a supporter of George Wallace for President) and an alcoholic Black man named Curtis Jackson, the father of Mo (“Slo-Mo”) Jackson, a great friend of William Brady, a fellow teenager and Lucy’s boyfriend. The most obvious suspect is O’Casey, but why is Curtis Jackson so eager to “get the heck out of Dodge”—that is, leave Waterville—before Mo’s school term is over?

Detective O’Shaughnessy is indefatigable in his pursuit of the murderer, but time passes and the case becomes cold. But then Mr. Carew adroitly employs a literary device known as deus ex machina, which provides the identity of the criminal. But still: Will there ever be justice for Katherine Ambers?

Lucy’s in the Neighborhood is a tantalizing work of art and a fascinating study of the interaction of colorful characters. Featuring superb dialogue, it is an engaging, entertaining, intelligent look at the human condition. Lucy’s in the Neighborhood may be ordered online at Maine Authors Publishing or Amazon.

Roy E. Perry wrote book reviews for The Tennessean and Nashville Banner for more than 30 years.

Veterans honored at Northern Light

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In the photo, Tim Dentry, right, president and CEO of Northern Light Health, thanks Charlotte Bolduc (veteran), left, with Michelle Rossignol, back, manager of Life Enrichment at Lakewood.

On Veterans day, November 11, 2022, resident veterans were honored at Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood, in a special ceremony. Ron Cunningham, chaplain of Northern Light Home Care & Hospice led the event. Tim Dentry, president and CEO of Northern Light Health, delivered a heartfelt message to the veterans. Downeast Brass Quintet opened up the ceremony with their beautiful United States Armed Forces medley. Susan Roy, LSW, MHA, supervisor of Clinical Hospice Services of Northern Light Home Care and Hospice, shared a reading reflecting on our service men and women.

Parade of Lights returns after two-year hiatus

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Fairfield Police Officer Casey Dugas makes his way across the Waterville/Winslow Bridge during the Parade of Lights, on Saturday, November 26. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

by Amarinda Keys
Children’s Discovery Museum

After two years, the beloved Parade of Lights was back! This annual event has drawn thousands of families for many years and serves as a fun and festive kickoff to the holiday season. The Children’s Discovery Museum was excited to collaborate with the town of Winslow and the city Waterville to host this wonderful event. The museum is working to create a brand-new play space for Central Maine. While they anxiously wait to open the doors of their new location, they are excited to coordinate such a wonderful event for the community.

The 2022 Parade of Lights was held on Saturday, November 26. Floats assembled at the Winslow High School, traveled down Benton Avenue, crossed the bridge, traveled up Main Street, in Waterville, and dispersed at the Elm Street/College Avenue/Main Street crossing. Santa made his entrance in a horse-drawn carriage. Floats included dancers from SP4D, a collection of Jeeps from Central Maine Jeep Owners, and fire trucks and police cruisers from local towns. This year’s parade included a panel of judges. The winning float was Living Water Community Church and their float featured The Chronicles of Narnia scene with characters. Runner-up was Hamlin’s Marine, with the most festively-lit boat the judges had ever seen. This year’s Grand Marshal, sponsored by Central Maine Motors, was a longtime volunteer and local martial arts instructor and photographer, Mark Huard.

As always, the parade also kicked off the Kringleville season, a long-standing holiday tradition that is now organized by the Children’s Discovery Museum. Santa will be visiting children in his house at Head of Falls each weekend from 1 – 4 p.m., leading up to Christmas. Many weekends feature free hot chocolate, giveaways and special activities thanks to local businesses and organizations. Every child who visited with Santa will leave with a book donated by the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Marden’s. Families will also be offered the opportunity to purchase a photo with Santa, courtesy of Central Maine Photography. For more information about Kringleville, including updates for the 2022 year, please visit kringleville.org.

Members of the Stage Presence Dance team, in Winslow, led Santa Claus in to Winslow/Waterville during the Parade of Lights, on November 26. From left to right, Malyn Beaster, Dinah Lemelin, Emmy Carlson, Lizzie Schmitt, Lexi Reynolds, Hayden Gates, Haley Martin, Addie Blackstone, Ailie Rancourt-Smith, Nevaeh Mason, Autumn Sawyer, Brooklynn Ferreira, Addie Benavente and Jayda-Ray Atkinson. (photo by Kevin Giguere, Central Maine Photography)

LIFE ON THE PLAINS: Winters on the Plains were challenging

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by Roland D. Hallee

Winters on The Plains in the 1950s and ‘60s were a challenge, to say the least. Anyone of my generation will remember winters back then, for some reason, were a lot rougher than they are today. In my opinion, winters now are nothing compared to back then.

We would get blizzard after blizzard of 14 inches or more on a regular basis. And, they didn’t call off school because of a few snowflakes. Most of us, whether it was Notre Dame School, South Grammar, or St. Francis School, walked. Only kids that lived “in the country” were bussed.

My dad would say – and I relayed that to my children later – “In my days, we walked to school in blizzards, and it was uphill both ways.”

Other challenges also presented themselves. Like snow removal. The city had plows to take care of the streets, but there were not a lot of privateers who plowed driveways. Besides, my dad had four strapping boys, and our grandfather lived next door.

We would put on our snow suits, boots, hats and mittens, and out the door we’d go. I remember a few times when we couldn’t even open the door due to the snow drifts against the door, which eventually prompted my dad and grandfather to install panels on the porches to keep the snow from drifting.

Using snow scoops and shovels, we began the process of shoveling, and clearing, the snow from a 100-foot-long driveway.

Of course, there were some “incidences”. One time, while shoveling the front walkway and steps, my younger brother stood on the railing of the porch to knock down some icycles. Well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity when it presented itself. I gave him a gentle nudge, and he fell head first into a snow bank. With only his legs from the knees down showing, and wiggling, – I laughed – my grandfather was able to pull him out in short order. But, I can tell you right now, that did not go unpunished. But, thinking back, it was worth it.

The snowbanks would get so high, I would estimate probably seven to eight feet, once the work was done, we would take out the shovels, and begin to dig out tunnels, and chambers, where we would stash snowballs for a later assault on neighborhood kids. Oh, how I loved those snowball fights.

Once the activities were complete, we would head indoors where our mother was waiting to handle our wet clothes. She would have the woodstove going, and we would sit in front of it with our feet on the door to get them thawed. Hot chocolate and cookies would usually be included in this ritual.

At school, the boys would go out at recess and head to the towering snowbanks at the end of the church parking lot, where the nuns discouraged us from going. And there, we played “king of the mountain”. Some of the bigger guys would go to the top of the mounds, and others would try to ascend to the summit and displace the “kings”. Sometimes, it turned into a melee, and the nuns so disapproved of such actions.

Winters were tough, but so were we.

EVENTS: Waterville Rotary Club launches annual charity auction

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The 59th annual Waterville Rotary Auction with hundreds of gifts, services and unique items will once again be held on-line through BiddingOwl.com. If you would like more information about the online auction November 27 through December 3, 2022, please see our webpage for details: https://watervillerotary.com/. You may also actively bid and participate in the auction simply by visiting: www.biddingowl.com/auctions.cfmon. Bidding opens at 6 p.m. on November 27.

The Waterville Rotary Club hosts the auction each year in late November to benefit what Rotarians determine to be among the worthiest causes of the region. Every year, for more than half a century, this important community event has supported Rotary’s efforts to make a difference in our community.
Proceeds from our 2022 Rotary Online Auction will again go to support community programs and initiatives. Early childhood development and education help to ensure a bright future for our community’s most vulnerable and valuable asset, our children.

The goal is to support the construction of the new Children’s Discovery Museum and the development of a second natural play area at Educare Central Maine. Together, we can make a difference for the children served by both amazing organizations located in Waterville.

Rotary Club of Waterville thanks the business community for its support and contribution to the local community.

For more information about the Rotary, visit the website at watervillerotary.com.

Happy birthday to a dear friend

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Rena Harding, center

Rena Harding, of Albion, spent her 100th birthday on October 29, 2022, at home with family and friends.

Rena is the daughter of the late Lesley and Gertrude Bailey, of Palermo. Rena’s last sister, Natalie Coro, of Waterville, attended her party.

She has four children, Eugene, Athene, Sheldon and Neil as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Karen Noyes Moody made a beautiful birthday cake.

I have spent many good times at Rena’s home and I was treated so nicely; she calls me her “little girl”. She worked very hard through the years and I am so happy that she had a nice birthday. She deserves it.

I love you and wish you more birthdays.

Ruth Fuller
China Village

Volunteers still needed for Festival of Trees

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Additional volunteers are still needed as the Alfond Youth & Community Center presents Family Festival of Trees again this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition begun by the Sukeforth family in 2015.

When you participate in this event, you are creating or continuing a fabulous holiday tradition. At the same time, the money you help raise supports our families in the community experiencing food insecurity through the services of Alfond Youth & Community Center and reinforces workforce development projects in the region.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful holiday tree? Imagine over fifty trees and the beauty and creativity represented. This wonderful family tradition will be held at The Elm, 21 College Ave., Waterville from November 18-20 and November 25-27. Hours on Fridays and Saturdays will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 27 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drawings for tree winners will begin on Sunday, November 27 at 5 p.m.

A daily 50/50 drawing will be held each day of the event, with the final 50/50 drawing held at 4 p.m. at the close of the event. You do not need to be present to win – winners will be contacted by phone each day.

The Family Festival of Trees will provide a magical experience the whole family can enjoy. Admission for ages 12 and over is just $2 per person, with children under 12 admitted free. Free children’s books will also be distributed, while supplies last. Purchase and drop your individual tree tickets (just .50 each) into the container of your favorite tree and you could go home at the end of the event with a beautifully decorated tree complete with all the gift cards and merchandise displayed. Only cash payments are accepted for the admission, tree tickets and 50/50 entries; however, an ATM is available on site.

Please join in this magical experience. Whether you visit to view the trees on display or are willing to volunteer some time to help staff the event, it will be time well-spent – and you will be helping support your community through your participation.

For more information about the festival, or to volunteer, go online to www.festivaloftreesmaine.com. If you would like to volunteer as a group, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Bonnie McBreairty, bmcbreairty@clubaycc.org.

LIFE ON THE PLAINS: Final pictorial walk along Water St.

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Picher’s Furniture Store, at 88-90 Water St. The building is no longer there. It was located across from Gold St. intersection.

by Roland D. Hallee
Photos courtesy of E. Roger Hallee

A market at 162 Water St.

Behind the market, at 162-1/2 Water St., is what appears to be a tavern.

At 188 Water St., there appears
to be another tavern.

PHOTO: Thomas College sports center named for Sukeforths

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From left to right, Bob Marin, Brad Marin w/son Clark Marin, Caroline Marin w/daughter Lydia Marin, Annette Sukeforth Marin w/granddaughter Amelia Marin, Donna Sukeforth, Lainey Thorne, Jessica Marin Giandrea, Rita Sukeforth w/great-granddaughter Caidyn Thorne, Thomas College President Laurie Lachance, Doug Sukeforth, Kevin Thorne, Heather MacKenzie Thorne, Nick Thorne w/son Brayden Thorne, Amanda Thorne, and Patrick Thorne. Absent from photo: Yvonne Sukeforth Palmer, Don Palmer, Dylan Palmer, Kyle Palmer, Pamela Sukeforth, and Herb Giandrea. (photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography)

Recently, Thomas College dedicated its new sports center to the Sukeforth family.

Veterans Day discounts

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Aroma Joe’s, located on Kennedy Memorial Drive, in Waterville, and Bay Street, in Winslow, will be offering a FREE 24 oz. drink for all Veterans on November 11.

Also, on Veterans Day, November 11, Hannaford Supermarkets will be offering 10 percent off all purchases, excluding alcohol, tobacco and pharmacy purchases, that day for all veterans, active duty or family member.