Wilton farmer lives in van in Waterville while working as a chef

Loto Lakewood, a 25-year-old farmer from Wilton, stays in his van in Waterville on nights he works as a downtown chef and cares for three kittens.

A columnist reported encountering a young man living in a van at Head of Falls in Waterville and noted kittens moving about inside. The man identified himself as Loto Lakewood and said he owns a farm in Wilton where he grows organic food. He also works as a chef in downtown Waterville about three days a week and stays in the van a few nights to avoid long commutes and high local rent. Lakewood described maintaining the van himself and caring for livestock, poultry and a large garden on the family homestead. Key details: - Loto Lakewood is 25 years old and operates a farm in Wilton while working as a chef in Waterville about three days weekly. - He stays in a 19-year-old Chevrolet van in Waterville on some nights instead of commuting an hour each way or renting locally. - The van has basic amenities reported by Lakewood, including a propane heater, electrical wiring, lights, a shower and a hot water heater, and he said he is working on getting a refrigerator. - He cares for three kittens named Tolba, Moose and Koda, and allowed photos of the kittens but declined a photo of himself. - Lakewood said he grows enough food for his family and gives surplus produce to the local homeless shelter. Summary: The arrangement lets Lakewood reduce travel and continue tending the family homestead while working in Waterville. Undetermined at this time.