SOLON & BEYOND: Alice Heald presented with cane as Solon’s oldest citizen

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

On May 22, 2019, Alice Heald was honored with the presentation of the Boston Post Cane as she is the oldest resident of Solon. Also present were her son David Heald, daughter Betty Price, grandsons William Price, Charles Price with wife Amy and great-grandchildren Seth and Leah Price, Lief and Marilyn Bull. Presenting the award were Elaine Aloes and Sarah Davis.

Alice Heald was born on December 1, 1922, daughter of Isaac and Arra Davis with siblings Harrison Davis, Arlene Meader, Richard Davis Beverly Shaughnessy, and Isaac “Bunky Davis, Jr. Alice lived in Solon all her life. She helped with the chores on the Isaac Davis farm across from the present Solon Elementary School for many years. Alice attended Solon schools and graduated in 1940. She attended Skowhegan Commercial School graduating in 1942. She worked at Depositor’s Trust Bank for four years, 1942-1946.

On July 11, 1946, she married the love of her life Roger A. Heald. They were married for almost 56 years until Roger passed away in 2002. After discharging from the Navy, Roger and Alice purchased a farm on what is now known as the Meader Road, in Solon, working on it from 1946 to 1958. The main part of their house still exists on the Meader Road. In the fall of 1958, Roger, Alice, David and Betty moved to the house on North Main Street where she presently resides.

Alice also worked with her husband at the D & B Store which was on the corner of Pleasant and Maine streets in Solon beside the Solon Hotel for about five years. Alice was secretary-treasurer of the Solon Village Cemetery for several years. In 1984 Roger and Alice bought the building where the Solon Post Office is, selling it a few years ago. She has been involved in the Solon High School reunion in which she still participates.

Alice spent most of her life as a homemaker taking care of her family. She has done many crafts throughout her lifetime being a member of the Solon Extension for over 50 years. She enjoys cooking to this very day.

Alice enjoys spending time with family and friends over her 96-plus years with many anniversaries and get-togethers.

I also wanted to add that Alice was a member of the Solon Chapter of the Chowder Eating, Beer Drinking, Marching and Singing Society, and we have walked miles, and miles together over the years. She is a dear friend! ( I checked with Alice as to whether she would mind if I added that information, and she had a good laugh remembering. ( Just wanted all of you to know there was never any beer drinking on our early morning walks!)

The Waugh family received a letter of sympathy from the George Washington University after the death of Carolyn Waugh. It states: Dear family members: We have learned of your loss and would like to express our deepest sympathy to you and your family. As a tribute to Carolyn’s relationship to the George Washington University, we have arranged to dedicate a book in the Gelman Library’s permanent collection in her memory. Library staff will select a book compatible with Carolyn’s field of study at GW and a memorial bookplate will be created. They will contact you with the book’s title, author, and call number after the bookplate has been created. Those who study at GW in the years to come will find they share a common legacy with Carolyn.

And now for Percy’s memoir: Entitled, When Blue Skies Are Gray:

Help me to think of springtime flowers, The exuberance in the message they convey – The dogwood bloom, violet’s perfume – Whenever blue skies are gray. Help me remember the summertime with the peaceful serenity of each day Gentle rains, so warm, butterflies that swarm – Whenever blue skies are gray. Let me recall a loved one’s smile and the joy that it brings my way – Just to know they care and are always there – Whenever blue skies are gray. May I ever be mindful of God’s great love and the blessings He sends, I pray; He surely will renew hope in me and you – Although today’s skies are gray! (words by Mary S. Chevalier.)

From what I hear, everyone is very sick of the gray skies, hope these words will help!