Week of January 16, 2020
Vassalboro, Winslow: After-School programs win award
Jim Fortunato, Let’s Go! Northern Kennebec County Coordinator, Northern Light Inland Hospital, has awarded the Winslow and Vassalboro Before/After School Programs with a Gold Recognition for the 2018-19 school year. This is the highest level of recognition for sites that have achieved all five priority strategies of the 5210 Let’s Go! Program…
Oakland mom chosen Maine’s Mother of the Year for 2020
Adrian Phair, of Oakland, was recently announced as the 2020 Maine Mother of the Year. She was nominated for her contributions as a mother in her home, workplace and community. She is the 59th woman in Maine history to hold this honor…
Your Local News
Budget draft renews conflict with fire departments
CHINA — The special China selectmen’s meeting Jan. 7, called to discuss the town conflict of interest policy and to give board members their copies of Town Manager Dennis Heath’s draft 2020-21 budget, turned out to be yet another round in the months-long argument between town officials and the volunteer fire departments…
Selectmen discuss delinquent personal property taxes
VASSALBORO — The main dissatisfaction is with residents who ignore the state law requiring payment of personal property taxes on business equipment, from bulldozers to computers. Town Manager Mary Sabins is investigating the merits of taking scofflaws to small claims court…
Military widow’s tax repeal signed into law
CENTRAL ME — Last month, Senators Collins and Doug Jones (D-AL) announced their legislation to repeal the military widow’s tax had been signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act…
New location for Candy Hollow in Oakland
OAKLAND — The Candy Hollow, in Oakland, has moved to a new location at 54 Main St. Owners Jason and Lydia Stevens opened at their new location on December 6, 2019…
Home fire risks increase as weather cools
(NAPSI)—The fall and winter seasons bring cooler temperatures, holidays, and images of cozy nights by the fireplace. Yet the change in seasons also comes with the chance of severe weather and an increase in fire risks. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more home fires occur in winter than in any other season…
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“Fighting Mental Health Stigma” and “Living with Depression” presentations
AUGUSTA/WATERVILLE — The St. Michael Parish Social Justice Commission will sponsor a presentation and discussion on “Fighting Mental Health Stigma.” The session will be held on Thursday, January 23, at 7 p.m., in St. Monica Hall, on 5 Kendall Street, in Augusta. Corpus Christi Parish, in Waterville, will co-host “Living with Depression” on Sunday, January 26, from 2 p.m., to 3:30 p.m. in the hall of Notre Dame Church, on 116 Silver Street, in Waterville…
Local history presentation at Lithgow Public Library
AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, January 22, at 6:30 p.m., the Lithgow Public Library, in Augusta, will host “Manufacturing Augusta: The Cotton Mill Fire and the Breaching of the Edwards Dam,” presented by the Heritage Center at Mill Park. The event is free and open to the public. This is the fifth in the series of presentations on local manufacturing history by the Heritage Center at Mill Park…
Melissa Brugnani promoted to mortgage loan officer at Kennebec Federal Savings Bank
WATERVILLE — In her new role, Ms. Brugnani will professionally assess the credit-worthiness of those seeking various types of individual mortgages in the Waterville/Central Maine area, and match eligible mortgage-seekers with a financial solution thoughtfully designed to meet their individual and/or business needs…
Grand Prix races slated for grades 2-5
WATERVILLE — A free racecar event will be held at Kennebec Valley Baptist Church, 91 Marston Road, Waterville, on March 14, beginning at 2 p.m. Small wooden car creations built by youngsters age two through grade five with the help of a parent or other adult are raced…
AARP Tax-Aide program offered
CENTRAL ME — The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free federal and state income tax preparation and electronic filing to low- and moderate-income individuals. Returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers. The program is funded by the AARP Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable organization, and the IRS…
First Sci-Fi and Family Nerd fest planned
FAIRFIELD — The first ever Maine Sci-Fi & Fantasy Nerd Fest will take place Sunday, January 26, at the Fairfield Community Center, in Fairfield. There will be a bevy of fun things going on which include, light saber fighting, a d&d battle royale to win a real fantasy sword…
School News
Erskine senior receives Next Gen honorable mention
CHINA — Eleena Lee, a senior at Erskine Academy, has received an Honorable Mention Award in their third annual PAYBACK Challenge. Over 900 students from across the United States submitted essays earlier last fall after playing the award-winning college finance game, PAYBACK…
Two local graduates receive Maine Dental Association scholarship
AUGUSTA/AUBURN — Jenna Fongemie, a graduate of St. Dominic Academy, in Auburn, who attends the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Stephanie Watson, a graduate of Cony High School, in Augusta, who attends the University of New England College of Dental Medicine, were two of 14 students that were selected for the scholarship…
Lasell University students named to dean’s list
CHINA/FREEDOM — Students at Lasell University, in Newton, Massachusetts, listed below, were named to the dean’s list for their strong academic performance in fall 2019, including Grace Redwine, of Freedom, and Mya Maxim, of South China….
Three local students on Dean College fall dean’s list
WATERVILLE/WINSLOW — Dean College, in Franklin, Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the local students that have earned a place on the dean’s list for the Fall 2019 semester. Zoe Derosby, of Waterville; Cami Dubois, of Winslow; Joshua Veilleux, of Winslow.
Give Us Your Best Shot!
Some photos taken by Pat Clark, of Palermo, of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia in September 2019…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
VASSALBORO: Mr. Drew and his animals, too!, Saturday, January 25, 11 a.m., Vassalboro Public Library, 930 Bog Road. Meet up to 12 of Mr. Drew’s exotic animals and learn about their natural habitats and behavior. Includes mammals, reptiles and insects. Free to all ages… (…and many other local events!)
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – David M. Wentworth Jr., 58, passed away Monday, December 30, 2019, at his home, in Vassalboro. He was born March 5, 1961, in Skowhegan, the son of David M. Sr. and Stella (Millett) Wentworth… and remembering 8 others.
Common Ground – Round 13: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, February 7, 2019
Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy Boutique in Waterville! Email your answer to townline@fairpoint.net or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!
Previous winner: Ardra Poulin, of Winslow.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | The blazes, which have been burning across Australia for months, have razed homes and wiped out entire towns. Across Australia, nearly 18 million acres of land have been burned – much of it bushland, forests and national parks, home to the country’s unique wildlife…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | Last month I re-introduced readers to Donald and Carleen Cote, who established the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Care Center in the mid 1960s. What did that involve? To rehabilitate wildlife, you must hold a valid State of Maine Wildlife Rehabilitator’s Permit…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Maine’s own Henry Wadsworth Longfellow achieved in one poem, very simply titled “The Rainy Day,” a harrowing depiction of the gray days we all face in more ways than meteorological…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | There is no such thing as having a company that is too small. No matter if you are the smallest of all, a one person operation, you can still handle yourself professionally. You can still do things the right way and poise your company to grow primarily because of great customer service…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | This was copied from Good Housekeeping magazine May 13, 1955. I’m just curious what your thoughts are on this subject. I can tell you I would not have been a good wife!…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | It is with great pleasure that I send you Solon School News this morning and I thank them very much! Will start off with the First Quarter Honor Roll…The Solon PTO sponsored a special Children’s Shopping Day on December 17…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI)—In a world that moves so quickly, people can sometimes forget to take time for themselves. Self-care is a way to slow down and focus on taking care of your own well-being. Regular self-care also can have a strong effect on mental health, preventing burnout, reducing the negative effects of stress and helping you refocus…