Home Values Up!

STATEWIDE -

Home values remain high, while for-sale inventory is still a limiting factor for those seeking to purchase single-family existing homes in Maine. According to Maine Listings, the median sales price (MSP) statewide reached $350,000 in May 2022 –an increase of 14.75% over May of 2021. The MSP indicates that half of the homes were sold for more and half sold for less. Sales eased 11.97% statewide, comparing May 2022 to May 2021.

Realtors reported a national sales decline of 7.7% in May 2022 compared to May 2021, while prices rose 14.6% to a national MSP of $414,200. Regionally, May 2022 sales in the Northeast eased 9.3% and the regional MSP of $409,700 represented a 6.7% rise in prices compared to May 2021.

“As sellers and buyers adjust, time will tell if we are transitioning to a more balanced market with slower price growth and less buyer competition for forsale inventory,” said Hill.

you keep track of and manage them.

Negotiate better prices. It’s possible you could get a better rate for things like insurance, cable bills, gym memberships, and credit card interest. Start by being nice to the company rep and ask if there are any programs or discounts you qualify for.

Take advantage of gas price savings. Sign up for fuel reward programs or use fuel comparison apps to find the lowest gas prices in your neighborhood.

Watch out for “shrinkflation.” Some manufacturers won’t raise prices, but will instead put fewer products in the same packaging. Read labels and choose options that give the most value for your dollar.

Enjoy what you already have. Take a walk with a family member instead of driving to the movie theater. Clean out your closet to rediscover lost items instead of buying new ones. Finish the project you started instead of spending on something different.

including banking platforms, that require a login on public Wi-Fi.

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“While still historically low, during March, April, and May of 2022, we have experienced small gains in the number of homes for sale across Maine,” said Madeleine Hill, 2022 president of the Maine Association of Realtors.

“Some of that gain is our typical spring home selling seasonal increase, but we’re also seeing home buying demand impacted by rising mortgage interest rates and home price appreciation.”

The National Association of

Some simple strategies can make it easy for online and mobile banking users to safeguard sensitive financial information from cyberattacks.

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Comparing just March, April, and May of 2021 to those in 2022: For York County, the number of units sold went from 681 to 582, a 14.54% drop, while median prices went from $375,000 to $445,000, an 18.67% increase.

Watch out for scams. Con artists know that shoppers are concerned about prices and will take advantage of the situation. Beware of deals that sound too good to be true, since they probably are. Always research unfamiliar vendors to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate business before you make a purchase or give them your personal information.

For more information, visit www.bbb.org.

Geraldine Byer Goodman, 88

WELLS – Geraldine Byer

Goodman, a resident of Wells, ME, died July 3, 2022, at her home in Wells after a brief illness. She was born in Boston, MA, on October 23, 1933, the daughter of Betty and Jack Goodman. She lived in Hull, MA, home of famous Nantasket Beach and Paragon Park. Her parents were known for the penny candy house and hair salon.

Gerry graduated from Hingham High School, class of 1951, and attended Boston University Sargent College for Physical Education and graduated class of 1955. She taught physical education in Newport,

MCINTIRE-MCCOOEY FUNERAL HOME

Div. of Tasker Funeral Service, Inc.

301 Main St., So. Berwick, ME 03908 207-384-2373 • www.taskerfh.com

TASKER FUNERAL HOME

Garrison City Crematory Tasker Monument Co. 621 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820 603-742-4961 • www.taskerfh.com

Family Owned and Operated

We are often asked by the families we serve, here at JS Pelkey & Son and Bernier Funeral Homes, why certain expressions and traditions exist in the funeral service industry. One of the most often asked questions is “Why send flowers to a memorial service or funeral, aren’t they just a waste of money?” Well nothing could be further from the truth.

As my friend Todd Van Beck recently wrote in an article: Flowers are sent to funerals for several reasons. Flowers are a means of expression. It is often difficult for those mourning a death to put feelings into words. Flowers are a visual expression of love, sympathy, and respect. They are a way of lending support and sharing the burden of grief. In addition to sending flowers to the funeral, there is a growing trend to send flowers to the home of the bereaved after the service. Some people also send flowers to the church in memory of the deceased.

Flowers create a background of warmth and beauty which adds to the dignity and consolation of the service. Those who have attended services where there were no flowers have noted that something was

RI, for two years and then in the Marlborough, MA, public school system for 30 years while living in Framingham, MA, and Wells, ME, which became her home. She commuted to Marlborough from Maine for 15 years until she retired. She was a member and trainer at Seacoast Fitness – formally Heart and Muscle – until her second retirement. Gerry had a caring and humorous personality and was well loved by everyone who knew her, and always had a laugh about life. She had a big heart and a strong will.

Gerry is survived by her younger sister, Dorothy Elkin, of Meriden, CT (predeceased by her brother-in-law, David Elkin); her son Scott Kadish and daughter-in-law Melissa Kadish, of Cincinnati, OH; her son Marc Kadish, of Miami, FL, and Boston, MA; grandson Ian Kadish and his wife Emily; great-grandson Knox and greatgrand daughter Remi, of Estero, FL; grandson Kendall Kadish, of Denver, CO; grandson Max Kadish and his wife Melanie, of Cincinnati, OH; and grandson Cooper Kadish, of Cincinnati, OH.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2022, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Bibber Memorial

THANK YOU ST. JUDE: May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day, by the 9th day your prayers will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised and done.

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Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, Wells, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Ocean View Cemetery, Wells.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made in Gerry’s memory to the York County Teacher’s Retiree Association, 48 Clark Road, Alfred, ME 04002. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit Gerry’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial Chapel.

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Frederick Wilfred Harvey Jr., 93

WELLS

& OGUNQUIT

– Frederick Wilfred Harvey Jr. passed away after a brief illness at his home on May 31, 2022, with his beloved wife at his side. He was born on May 12, 1929. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carol Harvey. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Debra Jean Killey and husband William, Salem, NH; Frederick Wilfred Harvey III and partner, Joan Parzanese, Edgartown, MA; Amy Louise Difeo and husba nd Mark, Not-

FUNERAL HOME Somersworth, NH bereaved’s feelings in the patterns of community support which are psychologically beneficial. Flowers, however, express the inexpressible – they are symbolic. tingham, NH; John Davis and wife Robin, Cape Neddick, ME; and his grandchildren, Krystle, Bethany, Ricky, Matthew, Julia, Suzanne, Nathaniel, and Olivia, along with his eight great-grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents, Frederick Wilfred Harvey Sr. and Ethel Blanche Strong Harvey. He was a graduate of Northeastern University. Fred served as a paratrooper in the United States Army. Later he served again as a medic in the Korean War with the first MASH unit. He retired after 28 years working as a Quality Control Engineer for the Department of Defense.

He will be remembered for his dedication to the United States veterans as an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as a NH Past State Commander and Past Eastern States Conference Chairman. During his retirement years, he spent hours painting lighthouses, seascapes, and landscapes. He was known for his kind and caring manner.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Wells/Ogunquit Sr. Center, 300 Post Road, Wells, on Sunday, July 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the David F. Talevi Foundation or Honor Flight New England.

Glenn Alan Towne, 58

NORTH BERWICK –

The family of Glenn Towne is heartbroken beyond words to announce his unexpected passing on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Born May 7, 1964, Glenn grew up in Kennebunk, ME, the son of Alton H. Towne and Thelma “Bobbie” E. Towne. Glenn resided in both Maine and New Hampshire and was a well-loved friend, partner, and community member.

Glenn was a proud, loving father and grandfather with a great love of fishing and a strong work ethic. Glenn was generous, resilient, and youngat-heart, with a natural ability to make anyone laugh and smile! His smile and laugh were contagious. Always a twinkle in his eye; whether goofing around, playing with animals, his children and grandchildren, making silly voices, or making up random song lyrics. He never failed to have a whole room of people belly laughing until tears were streaming. missing – that the funeral was depressing. The funeral meets the bereaved’s need for support. Death throws people into despair and depression by separating them from one who has provided love, companionship, and security. The funeral and customs provide the means by which those close to them can give their support and share their suffering.

Glenn will be remembered for his love of fishing and his devotion to friends and family. He was also known for his strength and dedication in the gym, where he inspired others and overcame many personal challenges. No matter what life threw at him, he never gave up.

Glen is survived by his kids and grandkids, whom he bragged endlessly about: son Jacob Andrew Town and partner Megan, of Rochester, NH; daughter Toni Marie Town and partner John, of Naples, ME; grandchildren, Eliana, Benton, Beckett, and Mia; sister Gail Foley, of North Berwick; three brothers, Doug Towne, of Huntsville, AL, Gary Towne, of NH, and Ronald Towne, of North Berwick; as well as numerous family and cherished friends.

The funeral period provides for the expression of sorrow. Only through talking about the past can the bereaved person realize the extent of the relationship with the deceased, and accept the loss and suffering. Only through weeping and talking to good listeners can they release their grief and feelings of guilt and hostility. Experts in grief therapy believe that it can be expressed best through rites, rituals, and ceremonies. The ceremony deals primarily with intellectual concepts and doesn’t fully engage the

There are three points to be stressed, finally, in connection with the tradition of funeral flowers. First, the role of flowers are both symbolic and aesthetic. They add great value to the richness and meaning of the ritual. Second, flowers represent sympathy extended to the bereaved. Third, flowers are sent to both the living and the dead. They are sent to the living as comfort and as tokens of respect for the deceased.

We, at the JS Pelkey & Son and the Bernier Funeral Homes, hold the value of the work our local florists do in very high regard. We always encourage the families we serve to contact a local florist directly. Certainly there are national floral outlets that can be reached with a simple Google search but, honestly, the quality of these products are often substandard. Simply click the “Send Flowers” tab on our website and you will be directed to our list of trusted florists.

Please call us about any questions with which we may help.

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Calling hours will be held Friday, July 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., followed by a brief service at the Johnson Funeral Home, 26 Market Street, North Berwick. Condolences may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhomeme. com where a fund to assist the family has also been set up.