May 2018 Maine Seniors Magazine by Maine Seniors Magazine

MAY 2018 • $5.95 MESENIORS.COM

Senator Olympia Snowe

Laurie Lachance

Mary Mayhew

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE Also Inside: • Get Inspired! • Defend Your Garden

• The Restless Traveler • Up, Up and Away!

...and so much more!

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The Golden Age is before us, not behind us ...William Shakespeare

Publisher's Note

PUBLISHER

David. S. Nealley

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Ellen L. Spooner

Whether you are 55 or 85 our mission is the same… grow and protect your family’s treasure for your “Golden Age”

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ian J. Marquis

EDITORS

Catherine N. Zub Lois N. Nealley Mark D. Roth Shelagh Talbot

The May Women of Influence Issue is one of our favorites and has a very personal meaning to me.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Victor Oboyski Joe Sawyer

SALES & DISTRIBUTION

Christine Parker Kimberly Reid Tallus Miles Leonard Russell Jim Gorham A. Peter Legendre Judy Legendre Roseanne Bolduc Clyde Tarr Diane Nute Jim Nute Paul Conley Laurie A. Poirier

Years ago, a businesswoman informed me of a speech my mother made at “Tuesday Forum”, a professional women’s networking organization. She explained to me that my mother had shared with the group that she had observed women making truly spectacular progress and breaking through the“glass ceiling”.

WRITERS

Dr. Len Kaye Jane Margesson Shelagh Talbot Ellen L. Spooner Hunter Howe Larry Grard Chloe Jon Paul Brad Eden Paulette Oboyski Lois Nealley

SOCIAL MEDIA

Shane Wilson

BUSINESS OFFICE

87 Hillside Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401 Phone: (207) 299-5358

Maine Seniors Magazine is published in the State of Maine by Maine Seniors Magazine, L.L.C. in association with Maine Media Consulting, L.L.C. All information herein represents the views of individual writers and their understanding of the issues at hand, and may not represent the views of the Maine Seniors Magazine, its management, or editorial staff. For more information about Maine Seniors Magazine, visit www.meseniors.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

(207)873-2200 129 Silver Street • Waterville, ME 04901 www.goldenpondwealth.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC 1 • MAINE SENIORS

e have all benefitted greatly from strong female influences in our lives. For me this became most important at age 23, when my Dad passed away. He died at the early age of 54, leaving my mother a widow at age 49. My mother helped to fill in for the absence of my father. In short order, she became one of my role models, as well as my business and political advisor.

10 issues for $29.95 by making a check, payable to Maine Seniors Magazine. Mail to Maine Seniors Magazine, 87 Hillside Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401.

Recycled paper made in Maine

My mother, Lois Nealley, was born in 1935, and had seen many struggles for women over the decades and at that time (mid-90’s) at the “Tuesday Forum” meeting, she proudly exclaimed that “Maine had one of the first female U.S. Senators, Margaret Chase Smith and with Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins following in her footsteps, women were Lois Nealley making great progress in leadership roles.” Lois further explained that strides were being made in every occupation. In this issue, we celebrate three very strong leaders. Olympia Snowe, who among her many other accomplishments, was the first woman in America to serve in both houses in the state legislature and in the United States Congress. Today, Olympia continues as a role model in leadership with many organizations and has created a leadership program for women

here in Maine. Read “Olympia – An Olympian for Women’s Leadership”. Next we have, Laurie Lachance who was the first woman to become the State Economist for the Maine State Planning Office under Governor John McKernan. She continued to serve in that capacity under both Governor King and Governor Baldacci. She was also the first woman appointed as President of the Maine Development Foundation. Laurie is currently serving as the first female President of Thomas College. Another star is Mary Mayhew, who was the Vice-President of the Maine Hospital Association and then joined Governor LePage’s administration as a Senior Health Policy Advisor. Soon after, she ran the largest state agency as the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, Mary is a candidate and could be the first female Governor of the State of Maine. All three of these women exemplify the quality of character that we need in every one of our leaders. To all of our senior partners; enjoy our Women of Influence Issue. Cheers! —David S. Nealley, Publisher

MAY 2018 • 2

Featured Contributor

Page 5

This issue's Featured Contributor is Casey Johnson.

MAY 2018 ISSUE

CASEY ADELE JOHNSON was born in California, spent her child-

hood years in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York and then moved to her family’s farm in Maine during her teen years. She has won various awards for her art. Her favorite award was first prize for her art at the Union Fair in Maine when she was a junior at Medomak High School. Currently, her art medium is watercolors. She comes from a long line of artists. Her great-great grandfather painted murals in Manhattan restaurants and her greatgrandfather, James J. McKeever, was a prolific artist who painted many canvases and many murals on the walls of her family’s apartment building in Brooklyn. Casey has shared a variety of her artwork with MAINE SENIORS. The picture behind her we used in an article about “Cabin Fever”. Her artwork of “The Medium” augmented a story we had on a real Maine “ghostbuster”. The “Irishman” débuted in our March Issue of 2017 and “Winter Magic” was based on the Deering Oakes Park bridge and was featured on the cover of our Winter Issue. Casey lives in Portland, and is a hair stylist at Green with Envy Salon on Congress Street and continues to be a creative asset to Maine Seniors Magazine. We are grateful to have and to share her creativity with all of you.

2 Publisher's Note

BY DAVID S. NEALLEY

Page 16

3 Featured Contributor: Casey Johnson 5 Prime Mover: Senator Olympia Snowe

BY PAULETTE OBOYSKI

16 Prime Mover: Laurie Lachance

BY LARRY GRARD

23 Prime Mover: Mary Mayhew

BY SHELAGH TALBOT

31 Sage Lens: Hail the Mighty Woman

BY DR. LEN KAYE

35 Special: Maine Women

GUEST ARTICLE

39 The MAINE Point: Friends in Deeds

BY JANE MARGESSON

41 Just Pondering: Womb to Tomb

Page 23

BY WALDO CLARK

Page 39

43 Chloe's Corner: Get Inspired!

BY CHLOE JON PAUL

45 Here, There & Everywhere: Boothbay Harbor

GUEST ARTICLE

51 A Trail Less Traveled: Defend Your Garden!

BY BRAD EDEN

55 Bucket List: Up, Up and Away! Top: Casey Johnson with Cabin Fever painting Middle Left: Publisher David Nealley in his Saint Paddy's Day finest Middle Right: Casey's work The Medium

BY LOIS NEALLEY

59 Food for Thought: Maine's Eagerly Awaited

Fifth Season • BY ELLEN L. SPOONER

61 From the Porch: The Restless Traveler

BY HUNTER HOWE

Bottom: Casey's work Winter Magic

Page 51

3 • MAINE SENIORS

MAY 2018 • 4

PRIME MOVER Jon and Nancy Dawson

Senator Olympia

Snowe BY PAULETTE OBOYSKI

OLYMPIA: An Olympian for Women's Leadership

enator Olympia Snowe was born and raised in Maine. She was a public servant from 1973 to 2013. During this time, she was the first woman in American history to serve in both houses of Maine state legislature and both houses of the United States Congress. She was also the First Lady of Maine during her husband, Governor John McKernan’s term in office (1987-1995). Senator Snowe inspires everyone around her and continues to work on many bi-partisan causes to help solve serious national problems in order to improve the lives of all Americans. In 2015, she founded the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization which delivers a three-year program designed to raise the aspirations and confidence of high school girls in Maine.

5 • MAINE SENIORS

Childhood Olympia Bouchles Snowe was born in Augusta, Maine in 1947 to George and Georgia (née Goranites) Bouchles. Her brother, John Bouchles is four years older. Her parents ran a diner near the state capitol. Her dad was a Greek immigrant and her mom was first-generation Greek American. Her family moved to Lewiston when she was in kindergarten. Senator Snowe experienced tragic losses at a young age. Her mom died of cancer when she was eight and her father passed away soon after when she was nine. Before he died, her dad enrolled her at St. Basil Academy Greek Orthodox Boarding School in Garrison, New York where she learned independence and responsibility. During school breaks, she took the train back to Maine to spend time with her aunt, uncle and cousins. In her book, Fighting for Common Ground, Senator Snowe relates, “The greatest gift my father gave me was sending me away to school. I emerged from St. Basil’s fortified with the central ideas of our culture, better able to cope with the personal challenges that lay ahead, and imbued with a grounding in my faith that remains the bedrock of my life today.”

PRIME MOVER • Senator Olympia Snowe

PRIME MOVER

her fiancé, Republican state legislator Peter Snowe soon after college graduation. Public Service In her early twenties, she gravitated toward political jobs. Senator Snowe explained that she always held an innate interest in government, specifically in the way of helping others. Due to her life experiences, she had empathy for hard-working people who may have had terrible things happen in their lives and needed support to get on their feet again. At the age of 26, while working for Senator Bill Cohen, tragedy struck her again. Her husband, Peter Snowe, was killed in an auto accident on the way home from the Maine Legislature. Still another devastating loss. Senator Snowe remembers, “My experience with loss informed my reaction. I had found that the best way to manage grief was to keep moving forward and make a positive out of a negative situation. I was persuaded by colleagues, friends, and family to run in a special election to fill Peter’s seat in the Maine House of Representatives, and I did.

Senator Snowe, recalls,“While attending St. Basil’s, I discovered that I enjoyed talking to people, learning both about them and from them, and finding solutions to issues together. In the eighth grade, I decided to run for dorm president. I campaigned for the first time ever—and won! That was the first experience I had using my skills to connect with, and advocate for, others. At the time, I had no idea I would later seek elected office nor spend forty years in public service. However, this first experience serving others surely planted the seed that would grow into my future career as a public servant.” Classes at St. Basil’s did not go beyond 9th grade, so Senator Snowe returned to Auburn where she lived with her guardians, Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim Goranites and their children. Sadly, her uncle, who was in bad health, died in 1963, when she was 16. She finished her secondary education at Edward Little High School and then graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Maine in Orono. She married

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Though the circumstances were far from ideal, I felt extremely fortunate for the opportunity to dive into new work and pursue a career I was passionate about. Ultimately, that path took me through the Maine State Senate, the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate as well.”

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Protected Maine industries—supported strategies that kept farming, fishing, and paper industries thriving and fought against those that threatened strong Maine companies. For example, she fought against a Navy proposal that threatened Bath Iron Works’ ability to build the destroyer ships for which they are most well-known.

As a moderate member of the Republican Party, Senator Snowe considers her greatest accomplishments as a legislator to be those that benefitted, protected, or progressed the lives of current and future Americans. Among those accomplishments, Senator Snowe: Worked with Senator Jay Rockefeller to create the E-Rate program, which ensured every library and classroom in the nation would be wired with Internet. Worked with Senator Blanche Lincoln to increase the amount of the child tax credit and make it refundable, which was the largest tax cut for working Americans in two decades and affected 37 million families. Co-authored the landmark Genetic Nondiscrimination Act to prevent companies from making insurance or employment 9 • MAINE SENIORS

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Jane Calderwood was an intern during her college years for then Congresswoman Snowe, worked for her in the House as her Legislative Director and was the Senator’s Chief of Staff from 2001-2004. She attests, “Senator Snowe moves heaven and earth to make things happen if she thinks it is the right cause and can figure out how to make things work. She is determined, smart and stubborn with a big heart and an amazing brain. She helped broker the deal for childcare funding during Welfare Reform, introduced the first bill on Alzheimer’s Disease, and fought against bad trade deals in the lumber, fishing, shoe and paper industries.”

Senator Snowe left the Senate in January 2013, because she had arrived at a stark reality - that the excessive political polarization in Congress would not diminish in the short term. She decided to leave the Senate and fight for bipartisanship from outside of the Institution. In 2013, she published a book, entitled Fighting for Common Ground, to explain the partisan divide in Washington and propose practical solutions to bridge it. Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Soon after retiring from the Senate, Senator Snowe joined the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC), a non-profit, Washington, D.C. based think tank which is actively committed to seeing bipartisan policy solutions enacted into law. She states,“It is the only organization in Washington that brings together former government officials and distinguished experts, who have passionate viewpoints from both parties, to forge consensus on concrete solutions to our most pressing problems that have too long been neglected. To overcome the status quo cycle of legislative gridlock, I became co-chair for BPC’s Commission on Political Reform (CPR). In 2014, BPC released 65 recommendations specifically designed to make Congress functional again.” National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD) The National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD) is a nonpartisan organization based in Arizona, that works to reduce political discourse and incivility in our political system. Senator MAY 2018 • 1 0

PRIME MOVER • Senator Olympia Snowe

PRIME MOVER

Madeline & Senator Snowe

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Snowe is a member of the NICD national advisory board along with former Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton and many prominent government, business and media leaders. Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Executive Director of NICD states, “Senator Snowe has been ahead of the curve in recognizing the extreme atmosphere of incivility and dysfunction in our country’s politics. She is very active in our organization, writing op eds and giving speeches around the country on the importance of reviving the social norms of civility and respect. Because of Senator Snowe’s influence, Maine is one of four states which are deeply involved in our‘Revive Civility’ initiative. These NICD hands-on programs involve trusted Maine organizations such as the League of Women Voters and Maine Development Foundation; all helping to restore respectful discourse among individuals, communities and in organizations.”

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way to give back to our state and to lift up the next generation of Maine women. In 2015, she founded the non-profit, Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute (OSWLI). She shares, “The Institute’s mission is to elevate the confidence and aspirations of high school girls in Maine, and that will always be the most

11 • MAINE SENIORS

important work we do. My goal is that Maine girls know they can build any skill and achieve any dream, and there is a network of women—and men—across the state eager to help each of them do just that.” OSWLI is a three-year program, rooted in the themes “My Values” (10th grade), “My Voice” (11th grade), and “My Vision” (12th grade), for high school girls to build the skills needed to be leaders in their lives, families, careers, and communities. The participants, attend a statewide day-long event at the start of each academic year, complete activities at and between monthly meetings with trained and caring advisors, and celebrate their hard work at year-end events. This season, OSWLI will graduate their first class of Olympia’s Leaders!

Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute (OSWLI) When her tenure in the Senate ended, Senator Snowe wanted to continue to make a difference. Her priority became finding a

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Senator Snowe and Dr. Carolyn Lukensmeyer

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PRIME MOVER • Senator Olympia Snowe

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John (Jock) McKernan since 1973 and are friends, work associates and traveling partners. Sharon Miller attests, “Since Senator Snowe retired from the Senate, she has continued working on making a difference on issues that matter to her. She has not dropped a beat and is every bit as busy as she was during her public service years. The Women’s Leadership Institute reflects Senator Snowe’s values. She had to have tremendous resilience and had to pull in all her strength to overcome her personal tragedies. She has done really well with her life and, through the Women’s Leadership Institute, she wants to give back to help young women open up their horizons.” Executive Director of OSWLI, Christina McAnuff, explains, “While the women advisors are the heart of the program for Olympia’s Leaders, as the participants are known, interactions with Senator Snowe are without a doubt the keystone of the girls’ experience with the Institute. It’s magical to see her interacting with them. They so appreciate how authentic she is, and how willing she is to share her story. The connections are powerful and they hang on the Senator’s every word. Between regular meetings with advisors, and events with Senator Snowe and leaders from across the state, the Institute will facilitate more than 7,000 hours of connections for the girls this year. One of Senator Snowe’s greatest legacies is not only the gift of time she gives Olympia’s Leaders each year, but also the gift of women leaders from whom Maine will benefit for many decades to come.” Madeline, an OSWLI senior high school student exclaims, “In the beginning of my sophomore year at our first few meetings, I was a shy and reserved girl. I rarely spoke up in a group setting and was afraid to voice my own opinion in fear of being judged. Fast forward to December of my senior year, and I was speaking in front of a crowd of almost 700 at the winter luncheon, talking about just how much the institute has changed me. Now, I’m not shy and hesitant to speak up in any crowd thanks to the constant support from my Olympia’s Leaders Advisors (OLAS), Cary and Dianne.” Madeline’s mother, Katherine Quirrion confirms,“The Olympia leaders program has been an excellent opportunity for Madeline. There's just a different demeanor about her on the days that she meets with her OLAS. It has really given her a boost in her

Governor John McKernan

self-confidence, which as a teenage girl in high school really helped at the right time. The opportunity that these girls have been given is priceless. They have learned life skills that they will use forever. Madeline really enjoys all of the networking that they do and the different people that she has been able to meet through Olympia's leaders.”

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Thank You, Senator Snowe! Senator Olympia Snowe and her husband, former Maine Governor John (Jock) McKernan together have a total of 56 years of public service for the state of Maine and the United States. We want to thank them for all the good that they have done to make our state a more civil and pleasant place to live. During a Maine tribute to Senator Snowe upon her retirement from the senate, President George Herbert Walker Bush said, “I want to join everyone in congratulating Olympia for her wonderful service to Maine and to the whole country. Olympia, we love you and Jock too, and congratulations for all you have done.” Former First Lady, Mrs. Barbara Bush commented for this story, “George and I admire Olympia enormously. She crossed party lines and put diversity into the senate. I wish we had more Olympia Snowes today.” MSM MAY 2018 • 1 4

PRIME MOVER • Laurie Lachance

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achance, who in 2012 became the first female president of Thomas College in Waterville, was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame two years later. Lachance says she did not make conscious decisions to earn the various leadership positions in her career. Come Home to Lakewood...

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“I found myself in leadership positions over and over again,” Lachance said from her office on the Thomas campus, which lies alongside the confluence of Messalonskee Stream and the Kennebec River. “I did not seek these positions, I accepted the opportunities. I applied for my corporate economist job at Central Maine Power Company (CMP) but never again sought a job. I’ve done some reflection on that. I’ve always worked really, really hard. I’m a person of faith, and I’ve always tried to maintain my integrity.” Independent Maine Senator Angus King, one of three governors Lachance worked for as state economist, spared few superlatives in his estimation of Lachance. “She’s wonderful,” King said. “I’ve known her for about 25 years. I think she’s one of the great leaders in Maine. The first quality that she has is attitude, and it affects everything around her. Secondly, she’s a visionary. She’s not content just to punch the clock. She’s persistent, and doesn’t quit.” Lachance is the youngest of George and Mattie Gagnon’s three daughters, and grew up in Dover-Foxcroft – a far cry from the MAY 2018 • 1 6

PRIME MOVER

PRIME MOVER • Laurie Lachance

Angus King’s and John Baldacci’s administrations. Baldacci said he enjoyed working with Lachance. "She's very accomplished and she's very nonpartisan," the former governor from Bangor said. "She's a voice of clarity, Baldacci is not surprised Lachance was able to make the leap from her Governor John Baldacci position as state economist to such prominence in the world of academia. She puts to good use her economic acumen, into making Thomas successful. "She's done great things at Thomas," he said. "It couldn't be a better fit." Lachance also was named president and chief executive officer of the Maine Development Foundation, a state-chartered nonprofit membership organization. As part of her job, she began researching higher education.

Senator Angus King and Laurie Lachance, President of Thomas College, pose for a photo at the college. Lachance was State Economist during King's reign as Governor in the 1990s.

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economic affluence of Brunswick – where she would attend Bowdoin College. Lachance nevertheless took full advantage of the town’s excellent high school, Foxcroft Academy. There, she played basketball and was director of the school’s swing band. “Foxcroft Academy absolutely prepared me for Bowdoin,” said Lachance, who now sits on her alma mater’s board of trustees. Following graduation from Bowdoin, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, Lachance took the position as corporate economist at CMP, which she held for 10 years. She also pursued her MBA at Thomas College, which she obtained in 1992. Then came the call to be state economist. Toward the end of the John McKernan Administration, acting state economist Steve Adams won a promotion, and Adams suggested Lachance as his replacement.“I was just naive enough to make a go for it,” Lachance recalled. She would stay on through 17 • MAINE SENIORS

JULY 18 AUG 4 JUNE 6 - 23

AUG 8 - 25

JUNE 27 JULY 14

To the left of Laurie Lachance is Peter Vigue of Cianbro Corporation and on the right is Ken Green during Thomas College Commencement 2013. Vigue was the speaker and Green received an honorary degree.

PERFORMANCES AT PICKARD THEATRE 1 BATH ROAD, BRUNSWICK, ME MAY 2018 • 1 8

PRIME MOVER

PRIME MOVER • Laurie Lachance

Left: Greg Powell, Chairman of the Alfond Foundation stands with Laurie Lachance,Thomas College President. Thomas received a $5.3 million grant to create the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation at the college in May 2017.

Today, Lachance is in charge of an institution that aims for limited growth. Thomas had 670 students when she came on board, and there are now roughly 800. The goal: 1,000 to 1,200 on the 100-acre campus. One new residential hall will be built to accommodate the additional students when necessary.

Right: Laurie Lachance addressing the attendees.

“My job, as I see it, is first and foremost to put forth a vision of growth and change, and then to encourage others to buy into that position,” she said. “We don’t want to be huge. But if it’s too small, it’s too expensive to operate. We’re up against demographics where the number of college-age students in the state is dropping precipitously. The secret sauce is a highly personal education.” Thomas lures students with a job guarantee for all its graduates, and with Master’s offerings in business administration, criminology and – a new offering – a Master’s in cyber security. The accelerated cyber security program at Thomas will be offered in the fall and can be completed in 10 months or so. Of the 10 cyber security classes, five will be offered online. A bachelor’s degree is required in addition to some experience in programming. Workshops in programming are available.

Lachance said that her No. 1 responsibility as state economist was the projection of revenues, which formed the basis for the budget-making process. “I always saw my role,” Lachance said,“as to protect that process from political pressure.” Senator King has a clear recollection of Lachance’s work.

In what she called a “very secretive” selection process, Lachance was summoned to an airport hotel for another interview.“They offered me the job at 3:30 in the afternoon,” she recalled, “and it was a dream.’”

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• Chairwoman, Educare Central Maine • Educare Maine • Foxcroft Academy • Focus Maine, knowledge worker sub group • New England Higher Education Employability Commission Conrad Ayotte, co-chairman of the Thomas board, said that during the selection process for a new president, the board had three final candidates from 90 who applied for the position. "Others came straight from academia and qualified on paper," said Ayotte, who has served on the Thomas board for more than 30 years. "But we chose Laurie because of her bold vision. We were looking for someone who could provide some bold leadership. It was a thorough process."

“The time is right” for the cyber security Masters”, Lachance explained.“Every single organization in Maine is under fire with hackers. We have thousands of hackers trying to find a weakness in our system. Cyber security is such an important job right now.”

“I worked with her on economic development, economic projections,” the senator said.“She was professionally competent. And she’s smart. really smart. She knows Maine. I can’t say enough good about Laurie Lachance.” In 2012, Thomas College was in need of a president to succeed George Spann. Lachance was on the school’s board of directors at the time. The college did a national search, and as the board pared its choice down to the final six candidates, Lachance was called for an interview. She did not have a doctorate, nor had she worked in higher education.“I had no clue this was coming,” she said.“I’m like,‘are you kidding me? How did this happen?’”

Laurie Lachance, president of Thomas College, serves on the following local boards of directors:

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“I think it’s genius,” Senator King agreed.“Every company in the state of Maine is going to want to do something in that area, and it will create jobs for graduates.” Lachance added that people in “mid-career” could opt for the cyber security course. Thomas also offers a three-year undergraduate degree. “It saves the entire cost of a year on campus,” she said.“Or stay the fourth year and go for a Master’s. We’re doing so many things.” Lachance also does many things for the greater good, serving on several nonprofit boards. She is chairwoman of Educare Central Maine, a high-quality learning and development center partnering with families and communities to ensure school readiness for children birth to age five. Educare Central Maine is located at the Mitchell School in Waterville. MAY 2018 • 2 0

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Billy Alfond, board member at Educare Central Maine, said that Lachance is an “exceptionally talented leader” who cares passionately about education and about the children of Maine. “Under Laurie’s leadership,”Alfond continued,“Educare Central Maine has become one of the best early childhood programs in the nation, even as it has expanded its focus 'beyond the walls' to raise the quality of early education at childcare facilities throughout Maine. Laurie is a master at bringing others together to work toward a common goal. She inspires people to take action.” MSM

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23 • MAINE SENIORS

Some of Mary’s favorite early memories involved sitting around the dining room table. “It was so important that as a family we have dinner together,” she said. Her father was very passionate about politics and she recalled many lively conversations at mealtime. “We spent a lot of time discussing the issues of the day,” she said.“And we were encouraged to speak up. I think that’s where my love of politics first began. We discussed everything from Watergate and President Nixon to the Vietnam War.”

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Mary remembers her hometown as a friendly, vibrant place.“You could walk everywhere,” she smiled. “The town had a beautiful park with a strong school system and successful businesses and manufacturing concerns. There was even a small ski area where townspeople, including her parents volunteered their time.“As a very young child I was known to sing on the tables in the lodge,” Mary laughed.“But I was scared to death of skiing.” She used to pluck up her courage and go anyway, hanging on to a rope tow and counting the trees she needed to pass before letting go to ski down the hill.

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head to West Memphis, Arkansas where her mother’s family lived. Little Mary believed it was her job to keep her dad awake during the long drive – he insisted on driving straight through. She would pepper him with endless questions, much to the annoyance of her older sisters. Her mother sprang to her defense – if she doesn’t ask questions, how would she learn? Her dad enjoyed the question game and was delighted with this opportunity to bond with his youngest daughter. He did his best to answer each and every one. Mary with her mother, Sue Mayhew

Mary in Washington (front row center)

When Mary was fourteen, the whole family moved to Arkansas. Her grandparents were getting on in years and her mother wanted to be closer to them. They ended up living in a very small town and Mary remembered school as being difficult. “The kids in my class never called me by my name,” she said. “They all called me ‘Yankee’ and would remind me that they had won the war.” When she asked them what war, they mugged and smiled,“Why the Civil War of course!” That kind of interaction only served to motivate her further regarding politics and led

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Mary at left with Ronald Reagan

her to meet a young man from that area who had served as a Congressional Page. He told her that she could actually go to school in Washington while serving as a page. Mary took it upon herself to ask a local attorney, for whom she had done some volunteer work, to write a letter of recommendation. He did, and she was appointed as a page for Congressional Democrat, Bill Alexander. Her family was delighted.“But, I don’t think anyone fully understood how that worked,” she said. “When we drove through Washington on the way from Maine to Arkansas the following summer, my parents literally just dropped me off at a boarding house in the city. When I went to the congressman’s office the next day, I was told that I had arrived a month early!”

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phone. He said, “Do you want Daddy to come back up there and fix it for you?” Mary realized in a flash that it was all up to her – she needed to stand up for herself. “I slammed the phone down and marched myself right back up the hill,” she laughed at the memory.“I told them they just had to find me a job… and they did. It was absolutely one of the best experiences of my life!” Mary recalled going to school at six in the morning way up in the attic above the Library of Congress. “What an experience to learn about and respect and understand what our country

is based on!” she asserted. Because there were so many pages for Democratic leaders during her time of service, Mary was assigned to be on the Republican side of the aisle. “This was in 1982,” she said. “I remember seeing Olympia Snowe; she was a member and I was totally in awe of her and what she’d accomplished.” Mary graduated from high school in Washington and the ceremony was held in the Rose Garden on the grounds of the White House. Ronald Reagan was president and she remembered how surreal it was, standing right next to him and hearing her father shouting to her mom: “Sue, get a picture!” In the years that followed, Mary went to the University of Arkansas and majored in political science. Her father passed away during her sophomore year– something that broke her heart. “I remember thinking how will I form my political views without him?” she said. “He was my inspiration and my foil when it came to debate, discussion and disagreement - we were so close!”

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27 • MAINE SENIORS

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Mary with her sons, Chance and Cameron

After graduation, Mary worked for a number of years in Washington, and as a government Relations Specialist at Equifax in Atlanta, Georgia. With the treasured values she learned as a child firmly in place, she continued to hold Maine close to her heart and was delighted at an opportunity to return to her home state in 1990. She was asked to run a political campaign for Pat McGowan, an old family friend, and settled back to stay in her beloved Maine. When the campaign was over, she partnered at the public affairs firm of Hawkes & Mayhew, based in Augusta, before being asked to serve as vice president of the Maine Hospital Association (MHA). She was there for 11 years before transitioning to the LePage administration as Senior Policy Advisor. “She was just outstanding,” commented MHA President Steven Michaud. “She’s one of those remarkable people who is able to multi-task well on so many levels. She gets things done. She’s one of the most effective people I have ever met.” The Governor, knowing her history and work ethic, then asked her to become the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). He gave her overnight to think about it. She said yes, and over the last six years transformed the

agency from one suffering from a continual state of crisis mode to focusing on the core principles that define the agency: support of the most vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled and children. It was a Herculean effort that involved reining in expenditures. To accomplish this task, Mary assembled an astute leadership team from the private sector. Mary implemented “a sophisticated forecasting process so that every line item, from hospital expenditures to nursing homes, doctors and pharmacy is accounted for. Proper management is key,” she explained. “This is why there hasn’t been a hundred million dollar bailout of the agency for over three years.” The model can be adjusted, used for trend analysis and forecasting into the future. “It’s a sea change for DHHS to actually be looking at and driving improved performance and outcomes,” she added. Three years ago, the Maine Heritage Policy Center recognized her with its Freedom and Opportunity Award for her stellar management at DHHS. Representative Richard Campbell (R, District 130, Maine) lauded her: “I’ve known Mary for more than 25 years and watched her progress through the legislative and administrative MAY 2018 • 2 8

PRIME MOVER

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Of course, to argue that aging is

entirely easier for women than men

is difficult, if not foolish, and probably not particularly useful an exercise.

Hail the Mighty Woman BY DR. LEN KAYE

One of the popular debates in academic circles is the question of who—men or women—face more challenges in old age.

t is undeniable that women have been said to be at greater risk of certain challenges to well-being in later life especially in the economic realm. Some 20 years ago, I published a book with my colleague Andrew Scharlach called Controversial Issues in Aging. Contributors were asked to take opposing views on certain controversial issues associated with growing old. One of those controversial issues was this very question: Is Aging More Problematic for Women than Men? Rereading the positions taken by the authors Nancy Hooyman and Robert Rubinstein, it strikes me that given the focus on women in this issue of Maine Seniors Magazine it is timely to sing the praises of aging women when it comes to their impressive ability to navigate the aging experience. When you think about it, it is really relatively easy to hail the genius of women when it comes to dealing with growing older. Consider the following:

31 • MAINE SENIORS

First and foremost, women continue to be more successful in getting more years out of life. They live longer than men—by some six years on average. Now I know what you’re thinking— living longer does not mean living better—so allow me to continue. Older women are more likely to seek out help when they need it—from physicians, from friends, and from relatives. They are far more timely in having their ailments dealt with, getting health checkups, and preventive tests completed. Older women are far more emotionally healthy—that is, more in touch with their feelings than their male counterparts.

They are more inclined, compared to older men, to express themselves, share their troubles with others, and deal with problems as they arise. Older women tend to be much more socially adept. That is, they have significantly more friends and confidants whom they are able to speak regularly and meaningfully. Having a more robust circle of close friends is increasingly seen as critical to maximizing your well-being and consequently, extending your life. And how about the phenomenon that has been labeled “postmenopausal zest” in which women are said to discover a new energy and vitality to living in one’s fifties and beyond when they are freed up from the responsibilities of raising children? No similar experience appears to be widely experienced by men in which they gain a degree of independence, control, power, and freedom in later life. For men, the closest any experience seems to come to postmenopausal zest is retirement and, unfortunately, a substantial number of men do not prepare well for retirement and its many challenges.

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Women, also, it can be argued, grow older with an established set of skills that will be particularly valuable in later life as compared to men who are more limited to the skill set that they acquired in the workplace and that is less transferable to one’s personal life. I’m referring to women becoming particularly proficient in performing many tasks including organizing social relationships and caregiving for family members. These continue to be skills in which men are more likely deficient, yet prove to be particularly valuable for people as they grow older. Of course, to argue that aging is entirely easier for women than men is difficult, if not foolish, and probably not particularly useful an exercise. Let it suffice to say that women must be doing something right given their continued success in getting more years of life than men. And as I have repeatedly said in this column, women’s significantly well-developed social and expressive skills continue to give them a major leg up on men when it comes to fulfilling the emotional needs that all individuals have in later life. MSM

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Lucille Hay was born and raised in a French speaking family in Aroostook County—first living in Fort Kent and later in Presque Isle. When her family relocated to Presque Isle, 5-year-old

Lucille Hay

Lucille and her seven brothers and sisters had to transition from a French speaking school to an English speaking school. Her parents started speaking only English at home to help with the transition.“I forgot my French language very quickly,” she says.“I can still understand much of spoken French, but I wish I were more fluent in speaking.” Lucille loved growing up in Presque Isle.“My neighborhood had a huge number of children to have as playmates,” Lucille says. They put on plays, held skip rope contests, and played capture the flag, hide and seek, and had snowball fights. “It was a very happy time.”

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Lucille always knew she wanted to go to college. The University of Maine at Presque Isle was nearby, and an economical choice.“I don’t know when I decided to become a teacher, but I did spend a lot of time playing school growing up,” she says.“And I was always the teacher in charge.” Her mind was made up after taking part in student teaching during her studies. It was during this time that she met her husband, who also became a teacher. The two were married and settled into family life, raising two children in Presque Isle. Lucille became a fourth grade teacher at the Eva Hoyt Zippel School. She spent the rest of her career lovingly teaching her students.“I really enjoyed teaching history and geography and did all I could to make it come alive for my students,” she recalls. She found many things rewarding about her work, and prides herself on the fact that she still maintains contact with many of her former students and their parents. Now that she is retired, Lucille, who is 79, and her husband like to travel. They’ve visited Europe, Central America, Canada, Australia, and throughout the United States. They enjoy playing golf and spending summers at their cabin on Eagle Lake. “I feel that my life has been blessed in so many ways,” she says.“I try to MAY 2018 • 3 6

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the Air Guard she was only the third woman at the unit working on the planes. There were even fewer women boom operators. “By the time I got done, though, there were a lot more.”

While Lucille spent her entire life living in Maine, it took Isabella a little longer to reach the Pine Tree State.

Her full-time job was working for the State of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, which is located right next to the base in Bangor where she worked on weekends. She spent 17 years traveling around the state as a child care licensing inspector.

Isabella Tighe Thurston grew up in Scotland during World War II. She was sent to a convent boarding school for young ladies because her father was in the Army and her mother was a volunteer. She spent her summers in the Isle of Jersey with her aunt who was a district nurse. It was this aunt and her pharmacist father who helped Isabella decide to pursue medicine.

Carla retired nearly three years ago, trading in her plane for a motorcycle, which gives her a thrill on the ground instead of in the air.“I miss flying and wearing a uniform,” she says.“I miss the camaraderie of my team.” She joined the Maine Association of Retirees to stay in touch with people and build new connections. She’s also working on earning her drone pilot license. It seems nothing can really keep her out of the clouds!

“I was one of two women in medical school,” she says. “Times have really changed since then.” After medical school, Isabella attended the London School of Economics and joined the British Foreign Service. She set her sights on America, believing there would be more opportunities for her in the U.S. She was also interested in the American health care system, so she immigrated to Boston in 1963. She was fortunate enough to hold executive positions at the New England Deaconness Hospital and Massachusetts Blue Cross, and became the first female Assistant Director at Massachusetts General Hospital.

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show my appreciation for what I have every day.”

She met and married a Mainer, Ron Thurston, and together they moved to Augusta in 1979. “My husband and I built a house in Winthrop and outfitted it with a yellow lab named Ben,” Isabella says.“We had a canoe and listened to the loons at night.” She continued her career in health care at the Maine Department of Human Services, eventually serving as the Deputy Director of the Maine Workers Compensation Board. The couple moved to Falmouth Foreside in 2001 where Isabella started a new career as a volunteer, President of the Maine Association of Retirees. “I would recommend volunteering to anyone and everyone, especially retirees,” she says.“It keeps you young and connected.” Isabella and Ron continue to travel back to Scotland where, at 81, she is now the family matriarch. The Thurstons enjoy“Date Night” every Wednesday at the Dockside Restaurant.“We love Falmouth and our access to health care services and other amenities,” she says. “This is where we plan to spend the rest of our days.” Carla is another Maine woman whose passions have helped countless others. Like Lucille and Isabella, Carla knew early on

These three woman are examples of the talent and skills, Maine public service retirees have provided to Maine and Maine citizens. Thank you. MSM

what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I was born with the passion to fly,” says Carla Cyr, 60, of Farmingdale.“When I was five or six years old, a company with a little helicopter came to Augusta and my mother paid for me to take a ride. The next day we went back and they took me up again.” From this moment, Carla knew she wanted to be a pilot. Carla grew up in Farmingdale and took flying lessons in Augusta. She moved to Bangor in the summer of 1983 to join the Maine Air National Guard. “I was interested in becoming a bush pilot and flying remotely,” she says. “To do this you were required to learn how to fix a plane in case something happened in the willywhacks. I had the opportunity to work on the KC135 in Bangor. I learned a ton and had a blast!” She already had her private pilot’s license, and her goal was to join the air crew. She eventually became a boom operator for refueling missions and then, about 10 years later, became an instructor. Carla was stationed in Bangor for 26 years. When she started in

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Friends in Deeds One of my favorite features to write for Maine Seniors Magazine each year is the article for the May issue. With a focus on women and the surge of Spring, it is an uplifting issue!

he inspiration for my own May column came to me this year in the form of two Westbrook friends who first met at an AARP volunteer training event over two years ago. I had a chance to chat with Mary Gavin, 74, and Lee Ann Stearns, 66, back in March to hear about their goals, their dedication to community and, perhaps above all, their ‘joie de vivre’ which is so easily discernable. Above all, it is their thirst for community engagement and their lovely friendship that I found most compelling.

Mary and Lee Ann come from different backgrounds and it is 39 • MAINE SENIORS

A Division of Frost & Flame Directly across from Sebago Brewing location

BY JANE MARGESSON

astounding to see how one seemed to follow a more methodical path while the other’s career took her in many different directions. Mary and her husband owned a multi-line insurance agency with Nationwide Insurance. Mary started out as a secretary, but found as she trained new employees that she loved the work and so became an agent herself for over 30 years. Their son and his wife live nearby, and Mary can’t talk enough about her granddaughter! When I asked Lee Ann about her career, I was astonished to find out how many seemingly divergent jobs she has had. In addition to working with seniors and young children, Lee Ann also worked for the CIA in Virginia! In her later working years, she became a special education teacher. Perhaps her most important job, however, was the role of caregiver when she moved back to Westbrook to take care of her parents.

Yet, it is the later-in-life friendship that

is clearly of paramount importance.

Through texts, emails, and their frequent conversations, they continue to find commonalities, including how they

experience their “golden” years.

Family Promise, an initiative for families in need of housing, stability and a second chance. Lee Ann and Mary’s quest for community involvement is broad-based and enduring. Yet, it is the later-in-life friendship that is clearly of paramount importance. Through texts, emails, and their frequent conversations, they continue to find commonalities, including how they experience their “golden” years. This is perhaps best summed up in their own words:“I’m truly enjoying the third act of my life,” Lee Ann said. Without missing a beat, Mary added “Oh, I just love this age!” MSM

“My parents were aging and I could tell there were problems,” she said. “My life completely changed when my mother was diagnosed with dementia. I knew I needed to see them through,” which she did. Lee Ann now lives in the same house in which her parents lived for 40 years. Flash forward a few short years to the time of their meeting, and Mary and Lee Ann can’t stop smiling. “We had an instant connection,” Mary told me.“We both live in the same town and I think we both share similar ideas and values. We both love to learn and to be a part of our community.” Their days are filled to the brim with volunteer activities. They enjoy each other’s company so much they synch their calendars so they can volunteer together, often staffing the AARP registration tables where they meet and greet guests. Mary is also deeply engaged in the support of continuing education through a program run by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and serves as Assistant Treasurer of the Westbrook Women’s Club. Lee Ann works tirelessly with her church on programs such as a weekly youth group; she also helps with MAY 2018 • 4 0

HuffPost piece calculated

average funeral costs at $11,000. That’s a chunk of change.

Womb to

located next to the “restrooms”. He threw me a blank stare and stuttered something or other. Didn’t blame him.

Tomb

A young couple canvassed the caskets. I overheard this mindnumbing conversation. “Look Ralph, this one’s drop-dead gorgeous and it’s on sale.” I noticed his bottom lip curl. “I’m not planning on going anywhere yet, Babs.” He tossed her a sly smile. “That said, we could put it in the second bedroom, your mother could sleep in it when she visits. Say, where’s the motor oil?”

BY WALDO CLARK

I skedaddled. Back home, I searched websites, looking to see if they had layaway plans and if they delivered. One caught my attention.“The caskets are shipped in the cargo bay of passenger airlines … the casket is loaded in first and the passenger’s luggage is loaded around it.” Hmm. You think I’m exaggerating? No wonder our baggage gets scrapped, ripped, and battered. Next time you fly, pack your precious belongings in a casket.

One slow night at the old homestead, I thought about the serious business of retirement planning. I call it, the State of the Senior.

reflected on three major milestones I’d reached; taking a social security check, selecting an appropriate medical plan, and receiving the dastardly required minimum distributions from my IRA’s. After pouring over mundane life expectancy charts, I realized that the next significant milestone was my demise or as Shakespeare said,“The undiscovered country.” I grabbed my investment portfolio. Seniors, in particular (age), took a hit from 2000-2010 when the market stagnated. Opportunity lost. In 2008, I clipped a “Bliss” cartoon out of the paper. A downcast man says to his wife, “Our broker just informed me we have to die in two years.” Since then, the markets surged upward. With more money in my treasure chest, I now had enough bucks to ponder future plans. I suspected that financial consultants considered funeral arrangements a necessary element of retirement planning. You see, I’ve always had my heart set on a glitzy funeral complete with a gold-plated casket. After all, Eternity does last a long time, so why not travel in style— in a first-class compartment. 41 • MAINE SENIORS

However, a HuffPost piece calculated average funeral costs at $11,000. That’s a chunk of change. Darn, my lofty goal for a fancy funeral had taken a downward spiral. As Oscar Wilde said, “Alas, I’m dying below my means." Setting my sights lower, I realized that I needed a serious deal on a casket, something I never figured I’d bargain shop for. I heard that some of the big-box discount stores sold caskets. Sure enough, Wal-Mart offered them, both in their monster onestop-shopping megastores and online. One informative article stated, “When Wal-Mart started doing this, the price of being dead just dropped … save money, die better.” Impressive eh, from cribs to caskets. I checked out a superstore. Charging through the entrance, I asked a greeter what aisle the caskets were in and if they were

The information included this,“The caskets are not guaranteed to leak.” Gee, how could I rest in peace in a soggy coffin with the sump pump banging away? The good news, the caskets were marked down from $1995 to $995. All I had to do was hit the add to cart button. Huh? Imagine working in the shipping department.“Look out, Louie!” With so many grave matters to consider, I remembered my claustrophobia problem. To solve that and to remain frugal, I decided on cremation. Hey, a brass urn with butterflies on the outside only cost $99.95. And I do like butterflies. I decided to plan a celebratory “Here’s to Waldo” picnic in a tranquil meadow complete with a harpist. I do hope that whoever tosses a handful of my ashes first checks the wind direction, otherwise the potato salad might taste a tad peculiar. Until then, I’ll follow what Somerset Maugham said, “Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it.” MSM

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Chloe's Corner

Dr. David R. Hamilton notes that

performing acts of kindness creates an emotional warmth that releases a

Get Inspired!

hormone called oxytocin.This hormone causes the release of nitric oxide which dilates blood vessels,

thereby reducing blood pressure.

Become a Rakivist! BY CHLOE JONPAUL

Thanks to my beloved “Nonna”, I learned about random acts of kindness as I watched her performing them when I was a little girl. Through the years I did what I could but never gave the phrase much thought.

•

Order a mail-order gift and send it anonymously to someone who needs to be cheered up.

•

Pick up trash you see on the sidewalk.

•

Open the phone book and select a name at random. Send that person a greeting card during a holiday. You don’t have to sign your name.

•

hat happened to me recently was a real eye-opener! One morning as I was doing Word Search in a Dell booklet, I turned the page and staring me in the face was a word search for random acts of kindness! Later that day, I went down to the office in the senior residence where I live. On the counter outside the office are books, DVDs and other items for sale. I wasn’t looking for anything but what should I find?

A paperback book entitled Random Acts of Kindness! So…it became clear to me that I should write this article. Here are some interesting facts that I discovered on the Random Acts of Kindness website: •

•

A 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries found that people who were generous financially were the happiest. People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. People 55+ who volunteer for 2 or more organizations have a lower likelihood of dying early.

43 • MAINE SENIORS

If you live in a senior residence, put a welcome sign on the newcomer’s door with your name and telephone number.

•

Kindness stimulates the production of serotonin, producing a calming effect and produces endorphins – the brain’s natural painkiller.

•

If you get a monthly newsletter listing residents’ birthdays for the month, make a birthday note saying“Hope your day is as special as you are!”

•

Dr. David R. Hamilton notes that performing acts of kindness creates an emotional warmth that releases a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide which dilates blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure.

•

Offer to take a neighbor shopping or offer to pick up items for someone who is disabled or elderly. I actually order items online for fellow residents who don’t have Internet and want to save money.

Now let’s take a look at some random acts of kindness that we can do. •

Buy a box of donuts or chocolates for your mail carrier.

•

Organize your friends to gather old clothing to give to the homeless.

• •

Pay the toll for the car behind you the next time you go over a toll bridge. Let the person behind you in line at the grocery store go ahead of you.

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If you would like more information about random acts of kindness, check out: www.randomactsofkindness.org MSM

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There is much more I could write about but as it has been said: “Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.”

“Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution.” –Kahlil Gibran

2015

8/23/11 4:27 PM

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HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE

A Coastal

HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE

Treasure

The coast of Maine has been a vacation destination for centuries. With 3,478 miles

of shoreline to explore—the longest of any state in the nation—it’s easy to find yourself on a secluded beach with the ocean as your backdrop.

oothbay Harbor is a much-loved, quintessential coastal New England town. Shops and restaurants make up the downtown area while the Maine State Aquarium and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are not far away. With so much to explore, it’s easy to see why Boothbay Harbor is a vacation destination. Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort Get the most out of your vacation by exploring the area. There’s no easier way to do that better than with a stay at the Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort. Located at the edge of the ocean 45 • MAINE SENIORS

on Atlantic Avenue, this Maine resort received a major facelift in 2016 and 2017.

Visitors who stay at The Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort receive a 50% discount at the Boothbay Harbor Country Club.

Start your day in the cafe with a hot or cold drink and a delicious breakfast pastry, baked fresh by the Boothbay Golf Resort’s pastry chef. Meander across the nearby footbridge into downtown Boothbay Harbor. Feeling adventurous? Explore the coastline on one of the private yacht charters—Hope, Island Mode, and Oceanside are ready to take you out on the ocean to explore, picnic, or sail. Kayak, paddleboard, or simply relax and enjoy a craft cocktail with a breathtaking view.

pool and a 12-person hot tub. You can even take advantage of the shuttle that runs between the two properties.

Visitors who stay at The Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort receive a 50% discount at the Boothbay Harbor Country Club. They are also privy to member benefits including the new Wellness Center that is home to an 1,800 square foot fitness room, 2 tennis courts, 2 pickleball courts, a heated salt water

After your day of adventure, relax in The Boothbay Harbor Oceanside Golf Resort’s magnificent restaurant, Coastal Prime. Enjoy your meal in the modern dining room or outside on the expansive dockside deck.“Dining at Coastal Prime is more than just a meal, it’s an experience,” says Executive Chef George Schimert. MAY 2018 • 4 6

HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE

On The Harbor and Harbor Island View have amazing views and private balconies. Both are located in town and walking distance to shops and restaurants. Boothbay Harbor Summer Cottages Experience the vacation of a lifetime! Look no further than the Boothbay Harbor Summer Cottages. Eat together, play together, and relax together at some of the most breathtaking oceanfront Maine rentals in the state. There are five pristine Maine vacation rental cottages to pick from. Golf enthusiasts will fall in love with Golfside House, which overlooks the Boothbay Harbor Country Club. No need to drive to the course...you’re right there! 47 • MAINE SENIORS

HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE

Lighthouse View is located on the southern tip of Southport Island. This two-bedroom cottage offers sweeping views of the ocean and Cuckolds Lighthouse, and has its own pier. Need more room? Rent Seaside Cottage for extra space. This onebedroom cottage is adjacent to Lighthouse View House. On The Harbor and Harbor Island View have amazing views and private balconies. Both are located in town and walking distance to shops and restaurants. Enjoy exclusive membership benefits of the Boothbay Harbor Country Club with your stay. Boothbay Harbor Country Club The Boothbay Harbor Country Club is the perfect Maine golf course. A brand new clubhouse, fine dining, and a challenging and historic course, the Boothbay Harbor Country Club is perfect for golf enthusiasts. The views from the fairway and green complex are absolutely stunning with eastern views of MAY 2018 • 4 8

HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE

Don’t miss these Boothbay Harbor area events/activities:

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the Damariscotta River and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.

June 24 – 30, 2018 www.boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org

Join us for this inaugural week-long festival. Sept. 18-22, 2018

Luxury Boat Excursions

Plan your own adventure with a private coastal tour on one of our luxurious boats.

Excursion Reservations: 207-633-4455 www.BoothbayHarborOceansideResort.com 35 Atlantic Ave., Boothbay Harbor, ME 49 • MAINE SENIORS

“Members and their guests comment daily about how Boothbay Harbor Country Club is the best golf experience in Maine and one of the best in the country,” says Chad Penman, Director of Golf & Membership at Boothbay Harbor Country Club. Looking for a little help with your golf game? A team of friendly, knowledgeable, dedicated professionals are ready and waiting to help you. This world-class facility has luxury locker rooms, a pro shop, 5-star restaurant, sports bar and grille, and outdoor seating with a fire pit. There are three restaurants on the premises. If you’re out on the course, stop in to Over the Ledge just past the 9th hole to relax and refresh. Grille 19 is the perfect spot for casual dining. Stop in for a frosty beer, juicy burger, and catch the score of the game. Paul’s Steakhouse is the luxury dining experience you’ve been looking for. The menu is filled with perfectly selected hand-cut steaks, fresh Maine seafood, and local vegetables. “We source and buy the very best ingredients in the markets and then we execute the cuisine with the finest, well-trained professional chefs we can find,” says George Schimert, Executive Chef. The restaurants are open to the public in May, June, September, and October. The club is open in July and August to Boothbay Harbor Country Club members only. MSM

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MAY 2018 • 5 0

A TRAIL LESS TRAVELED

Defend your Garden!

There is little else in the world more discouraging than anticipating the first

sweet corn of the season and finding the rows of corn stalks lying on the ground, with chewed up cobs scattered about. Buns, it is virtually impossible to keep them out.

STORY & ILLUSTRATION BY BRAD EDEN

Looking forward to fresh vegetables this summer?

You better plan your defense strategy now.

his is the time of year when many of us have purchased our seeds, started plants in greenhouses and under grow lights, and have generally planned and prepped for our summer vegetable gardens. We are anxious to get our hands dirty. Over the years, I’ve learned that one of the most important parts of my spring preparation has nothing to do with growing food. It’s figuring out how to keep animals from invading my garden bounty and wreaking havoc. I often joke that my marriage, now past the three-decade mark, hinges on a successful garden every year. If critters discover my vegetables before my wife gets her fill, I am in serious trouble. Back when we owned a small farm I grew huge blocks of sweet corn and the biggest problem was the raccoons. Even though we now have raised beds and less corn, the problem persists. They have an uncanny ability to gauge the exact night that a particular block of corn has reached picking perfection. Then they sneak in under the cloak of darkness for a feeding frenzy. There is little else in the world more discouraging than anticipating the first sweet corn of the season and finding the rows of corn stalks lying on the ground, with chewed up cobs scattered about.

The best way to keep coons out of the corn patch is to be 51 • MAINE SENIORS

Take A New Direction

Away from Shoulder Pain

A sturdy chicken wire fence between three and five feet high with an electric wire on top is the best coon prevention I’ve found. An electric fence energizer hooked up to a 6-volt battery delivers enough of a jolt to dissuade most garden marauders. Planting vine crops like pumpkins, and gourds amongst the corn will further discourage raccoons, since they dislike walking on prickly vines. Mothballs or crystals spread between rows can also be effective, since coons are fastidious creatures and hate the taste on their paws. If truly ambitious, you can try sprinkling cayenne pepper on the silk above the ears.

DR. MAYO NOERDLINGER, ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON

Talk to your Primary Care Provider or call Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine at (603) 431-1121.

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prepared before they discover those succulent ears. Hanging pie tins, and the various scarecrow contraptions may initially scare coons off, but not for long. Once they have had a taste of Sugar

Fortunately, I have few problems with deer. We have plenty but the way our house and garden are situated behind a marsh

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Other garden marauders besides the obligatory bugs are woodchucks. Once you rid your property of any woodchucks they seem to stay away. Of course, a .22 rifle will do the trick but a Havahart live trap baited with greens and vegetables is actually more efficient. Just make sure to release any captors far from anybody else’s garden. Our newest garden nemesis is the bountiful population of snowshoe hares we have on our property. It’s a bucolic scene with them hopping about until they discover the tender young vegetable shoots sprouting out of the raised beds, and the newly planted transplants. They can mow those down in an afternoon and set a garden back, necessitating reseeding and replanting. I finally constructed three-foot chicken wire enclosures around my raised beds. Tall enough to keep them from jumping in but low enough to be able to lean in and tend the plants. Later in summer once the plants have matured, they can handle some nibbles, so I’ll open the wire and let the hares hop up and enjoy some lettuce.

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A TRAIL LESS TRAVELED

they seem to stay away. Nevertheless, that isn’t the case for a lot of gardeners, where deer can be an absolute nightmare. Some people are successful stringing a couple strands of electric wire low to the ground and another at around four feet high around their garden. But I’m told by deer-plagued friends that a fence capable of consistently keeping hungry deer out of a garden needs to be at least seven to eight feet tall and made of wood or wire with several strands of electric wire angled out at the top.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3RD

FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH

THURSDAY, JULY 5TH

SATURDAY, JULY 7TH

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5TH

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16TH

Besides a sturdy fence, hanging bars of Irish Spring or Ivory soap around the edges of a garden can sometimes keep deer at bay. A less aromatic trick is purchasing coyote urine at a sporting goods or garden store and spraying it on the garden edges. You can also collect dog or human hair, put it in mesh bags or nylon stockings, and hang it around the garden. A last resort may be to simply plant extra vegetables and accept a certain degree of loss. So, while you’re nursing your seedlings and anticipating a fresh garden salad, now is the time to devise your defensive strategy against wild animal freeloaders. I wish you the best of luck, and MSM that you get to the sweet corn first.

“Music is the soundtrack of your life.” – DICK CLARK

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53 • MAINE SENIORS

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Thoughtful CARE IN A Spectacular SETTING

BUCKET LIST

After a hospital stay, we know your goal is to return home and it is our job to help get you there.

Up, Up and Away!

BY LOIS NEALLEY

When I was young I was intrigued with trains, planes and cruise ships.

didn’t know where they were going, but like Bing Crosby, I knew they were going to “Far Away Places” and they were,” calling me”.

I was such a dreamer! In fact, A teacher once told my mother and me that if “Day-Dreaming” were a subject on my report card I would most certainly get an A+. (I’m not sure she thought that was a good thing…I know my mother didn’t.) However, reality nudges us every once in a while, so when it did, my day-dreaming about traveling took a backseat to my“real” life. My “real” life kept me busy for many years …then all of a sudden, I was a retired grandmother, So what next? Well, with the help of a little serendipity and a few dear friends, I reached into the backseat for all those travel dreams…and was able to make many of them come true. When one does travel fairly extensively over a twenty-year period, one quite often covers “Bucket List” items by being in the right place at the right time. In fact, I can check off a long a list right now. I was so fortunate.

Our highly qualified Skilled/Rehab Team will work together to get you back home, doing the things you enjoy as soon as possible. • • • • • •

Physician/Medical Provider Visits Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Skilled Nursing Care Discharge Planning and Education

GoinG Home m o H e e m o C l e w If you are in need of additional support with housekeeping, personal assistance, medication management, consider us as your new home. With 28 Private Assisted Living Apts. and a variety of floor plans, our intimate size allows us to customize our services to meet your needs. • • • •

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55 • MAINE SENIORS

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BUCKET LIST

Northeast Pain Management Absolute Physical Therapy Setting the Standard.

Out with the OLD, in with the NEW.

A teacher once told my mother and me that if “Day-Dreaming” were a subject on my report card

I would most certainly get an A+.

it all these beautiful rainbow-colored observers moving ever so silently…it was a sight I will never forget.

Buy, Sell or Trade. This book does it all.

Our trip ended before there was time for a balloon ride in Kenya, but years later, early one morning on my way to work, I spied a hot air balloon floating silently over the Penobscot River in Bangor. I thought about how beautiful it must be from up there, or for that matter from almost anywhere in Maine. Maybe one doesn’t have to go very far from home to activate that ‘Bucket List’! "Up, Up and Away…”

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Probably one of the highlights of my globetrotting adventures was a trip to Kenya for a safari into the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. We were very comfortably housed in Camp Kia Ora. In the morning (5:30 or 6:00 AM) we were awakened to a gentle rap on the door and greeted with coffee and biscuits. Then it was off to climb into our safari vehicles. On one of these morning I saw a “Bucket List” item I will never forget. On the plains, the guide slowly stopped and pointed off in the distance. The sun was just barely coming up and we weren’t sure what we were looking at. Two or three large dark “blobs” blocked out part of our light as they moved slowly across the everbrightening horizon As the sun touched these strange shapes that were moving slowly upward, beautiful colors appeared…then we knew. We were looking at hot air balloons. We probably had all seen hot air balloons before, but never like this! The sun, the wide plains, the scraggly scrub trees, the silhouettes of zebras, impalas, and other grazers moving about slowly in the distance…and above 57 • MAINE SENIORS

MSM

Let us help

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942-2233 / www.absolutept.net Call today and say you saw us in Maine Seniors Magazine.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

that removing all of the fiddleheads from a crown weakens or even kills the fern. (Also, be mindful of where you are before you harvest your future feast. Most landowners do not appreciate trespassers, especially when it comes to their fiddleheads!)

THE COUNTRY VILLA THE COMFORTS OF HOME WITHOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY

• 24 Hour Staffing

• Beautifully Maintained Property

• Roomy Suites with Private Bath

• Beauty Parlor / Barber Shop

• Personal Climate Control

• Library

• Large Common Areas

• Fun Filled Activities & Outings

• 3 Meals a Day

• Transportation

• Homecare Services

• Beautiful Gardens

• Daily Housekeeping

• Cable & WiFi

• Laundry Service

Eagerly Awaited Fifth Season

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Maine’s

Somewhere between the rebirth of spring

and the advent of summer, Mainers welcome the short-lived, but eagerly anticipated Fiddlehead Season.

or many of us this represents the chance to experience nature’s bounty at its best as we feast on these flavorful fronds.

For hundreds of years, fiddleheads have been part of the diet of many cultures. Northern France, Japan, China, and India are among the countries where they are prepared and eaten in a variety of dishes. But, nowhere in the world is this delicious vegetable sought after and eaten more aggressively than in our own state of Maine. For Maine residents, even those “from away”, fiddleheads are a true delicacy to be enjoyed in abundance if only for a brief period each spring. Fiddleheads are the uncoiled tips of young fern fronds and

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Now that you have your fiddleheads—even if you acquired them in an untraditional method by purchasing them at a local market, it’s time to clean and cook them. First, remove the paper-like covering by rubbing your fingers lightly over the fiddlehead. Once all or most of the covering is gone, rinse the fiddleheads in cold tap water, changing the water several times. Finally, the fiddleheads should be boiled gently for at least 10 minutes until they are just tender. Your fiddleheads are now ready to use in your favorite recipes. Or, perhaps, add a little butter, salt and pepper, a touch of vinegar and savor the earthy taste of your fiddleheads—not unlike an asparagus and mushroom combo, but much better! MSM

BY ELLEN L. SPOONER

while all ferns have them, not all are edible. Ostrich ferns are the source of the fiddleheads that are eaten throughout Northeastern New England and Canada. In fact, ostrich ferns are usually referred to as fiddlehead ferns. They grow wild in wet marshy areas and along river banks. Appearing in early to late spring, edible fiddleheads from ostrich ferns are easily recognizable by their dark green color and a pronounced U-shaped groove that runs the length of the stem. The fiddlehead itself is approximately two inches long and an inch in diameter with a brown paper-like husk. Ostrich ferns grow in clusters, called crowns, with up to twelve fiddleheads on each. They are easily distinguishable from other, non-edible ferns such as woods and bracken ferns which are fuzzy and a lighter green. Although fiddle heads from these ferns are eaten in some societies, it is not recommended as they have been shown to contain toxins. Fiddleheads from ostrich ferns are considered edible. Moreover, one serving provides a generous amount

of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. And, they are low sodium. Once they appear in the spring, ostrich fern fiddleheads grow very quickly, so it is wise to identify their location before the season begins. Ostrich fern fronds from the previous year are brown and feathery but continue to exhibit the U-shaped groove on the inside of the stem. Once the new fiddleheads begins to emerge, they can grow as much as three inches per day thereby limiting the length of time you have to harvest them before the fronds unfurl. Ideally, fiddlehead stems should be cut or snapped off when they are three to seven inches tall and the fiddlehead itself is still tightly coiled. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension recommends that care be taken when harvesting and preparing fiddleheads. They suggest that only crowns with four or more fiddleheads be harvested and that some fiddleheads be left on each crown as research indicates

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MAY 2018 • 6 0

FROM THE PORCH

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Kathleen Kienitz and her staff at the Elder Law Offices of Kathleen Kienitz have been serving the central Maine community for the past 20 years, providing the following services to clients of all ages.

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THE RESTLESS

Traveler BY HUNTER HOWE

Many of us experience a throbbing feeling of restlessness, one that accompanies us throughout our lives.

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fog slipped in and surrounded him in his hidden sanctuary. A raw, penetrating chill penetrated his unsettled soul; he pulled the draw strings of his yellow slicker tight. Alone with his thoughts, he wondered, retired and restless, what’s next?

That phrase caught my attention. I thought about seniors instinctively grappling with their psychological flexibility and intellectual restlessness, pondering what they might do to enhance their well-being and the well-being of others.

Lynne Rudder Baker, recently deceased philosophy professor at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst said,“We as persons have a keen (if not universal) desire to make sense of ourselves.”

A piece in Psychology Today, “Discovering the roots of your restlessness,” said, “The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”

I think of a frontiersman riding atop his paint, rifle across his saddle, saddle bags holding his only possessions, bedroll folded, casting wary glances, moving through hostile territory, open country, prairies and mountains, in the pursuit of something more, hopefully better. What’s next? What lies beyond? Louis L’Amour, the author of rugged western novels, wrote in Sackett’s Land,“It was a time when few men got more than a mile or two from their door, unless following the sea or fishing, but I was a restless one, moving about and working whenever an extra hand might be needed.” An extra hand …

e attempt to figure out whether this feeling’s a burden, a blessing, or both.

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Last May, I moved to an “active” retirement community of single family homes, the majority of folks in their 70s and 80s. Active here doesn’t mean banjo, badminton, and bingo (nothing wrong with these) or sitting in a Barcalounger with a scotch and soda. No, it means venturing out and about in the community, offering up their interests, skills, and passions by lecturing, counseling, and teaching, among other worthy pursuits. I’ve observed this accomplished group of people not only helping others to make

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Fernando Pessoa, Portuguese poet, writer, and philosopher, penned,“My soul is impatient with itself, as with a bothersome child: its restlessness keeps growing and is forever the same. Everything interests me, but nothing holds me. I attend to everything, dreaming all the while.”

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They seek out quiet places to think through this unsettled uneasiness within them. Dusk wrestled with dark. The solitary figure found his way through the dense, damp grass on top of the granite bluff. Crouching for balance, he descended the steep, narrow dirt path to the rocky beach situated in a secluded cove. A bracing wind blew in from the blue/black sea with its pounding foam-capped waves. He kicked at pebbles worn smooth by the tides of yesteryear. A subtle gray 207.607.1740

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FROM THE PORCH

Maine seniors don’t have to head west to fulfill their unease—there are

many opportunities right here in our backyard. Want evidence of this? Just read every issue of the Maine Seniors Magazine to witness the power of

everyday folks making a difference.

a difference in their lives, but the personal return my neighbors get as well, enhancing their own social, emotional, and physical well-being. Retired. Moving on. New frontiers. That said, it’s easy to get stuck fighting our ruffled minds, deciding what to do, what’s next, what now? It reminds me of these lyrics from “The Damned.”

Maine seniors don’t have to head west to fulfill their unease— there are many opportunities right here in our backyard. Want evidence of this? Just read every issue of the Maine Seniors Magazine to witness the power of everyday folks making a difference. I realize that what jumps out reading these special stories is that these contributors, rather than attempting to find “gold in them far off hills” (the hapless pursuit of ongoing happiness), have discovered a new sense of freedom, exhausting and exhilarating, on their own terms.

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Retired, the end of something. Restless, the beginning of something. Herman Hesse wrote, “… and the vessel was not quite full, his intellect was not satisfied, his soul, was not at peace, his heart was not still.” The wayward wind pushes the restless traveler, at ease with himself, forward, always forward. MSM

“But I’m restless, restless, so restless. Time seemed to move on.”

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