Week of November 14, 2019
Mourners pay tribute to local community anchor
David Herard remembered as dedicated firefighter, family man and marine
This space is not large enough for the story of David Herard. During his remembrance at the China Dine-ah, I talked with daughters, sons-in-law, family, friends and colleagues and was given a glimpse into the life of a man who made his life’s work looking after people, both those he knew and those he had never met. His dedicated care of the town of China, his country and his family shone through every conversation I had, as did his obvious love of duty and honor for their own sake… [949 words] by Ron Maxwell
Your Local News
China TIF members get prelim preview of causeway project
CHINA — At their Nov. 4 meeting, China TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Committee members got a preview of the proposed new design for the second phase of the causeway project, which will extend the bridge replacement work at the head of China Lake’s east basin…
Tax relief payments coming to qualified homeowners
CENTRAL ME — An Act to Return Funds to Maine Property Tax Payers requires the Maine Office of the State Treasurer (OST) to provide tax relief payments of no less than $100 to qualifying homesteads, when the Property Tax Relief Fund reaches a threshold of funding to support the payments…
Take our weekly survey!
LAST WEEK: Do you support the Transmission Corridor, the CMP proposal to build a 145-mile transmission line through the heart of Maine to send hydropower from Québec to electricity customers in Massachusetts?
Yes: 12.1% (22) – No: 87.9% (159) – 181 respondents
Vassalboro American Legion holds veterans open house
VASSALBORO — Nearly 30 people attended the Vassalboro American Legion Post #126’s open house and honor ceremony at St. Bridget’s Center on Veterans Day, November 11. The goal of the open house was to provide veterans and their families with a central place to find information on veterans’ issues…
Waterville holds Veterans Day parade
WATERVILLE — Photos of the Waterville Veterans Day parade by Central Maine Photography…
Eagle Scout candidate organizes work day
by Bernie Welch — The Vassalboro Historical Society and the Vassalboro Grange partnered with the Maine Rivers to create an opportunity for the talented troop #479, of China, and specifically Eagle Scout candidate, Ben LeGasse, with the thought of sharing a bit of Vassalboro Lore from the Historical Society and the Grange, plus providing a place to share the plan for an alewife introduction to China Lake…
Curtis Dalton achieves rank of Eagle Scout
SKOWHEGAN — Dalton James Curtis, of Skowhegan, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on October 19, 2019, at his Court of Honor Ceremony held at Centenary United Methodist Church…For his project, Dalton donated 50 Cancer Care Packages to Oncology patients at Redington-Fairview General Hospital, in Skowhegan…
Theresa Plaisted presented with Boston Post Cane
CHINA — China Town Manager Dennis Heath presented the Boston Post Cane and a certificate to Theresa Plaisted, of China, on October 21, 2019. The cane is retained at the Town Office and the recipient keeps a certificate of the presentation…
Renovations completed to Windsor Christian Fellowship
by Brandon Dyer — “Didn’t that church burn down?” This question was posed to me several years ago by a student at Windsor School on a day I was substitute teaching. The short answer to this well-meaning child’s question was, “no.” However, the sanctuary of Windsor Christian Fellowship did look as though it had burned down to some extent…
KHS to hear about German POWs in Maine
AUGUSTA — In 1944, the U.S. Army Air Base, in Houlton, Maine, in Aroostook, County, became the site of a Prisoner of War (POW) internment camp for German soldiers captured in North Africa and France…The presentation will be followed by some light refreshments and take place on November 20, at 6:30 p.m., at the Maine State Library in Augusta…
New inductees in the Maine Ski Hall of Fame
CENTRAL ME — The recent inductees to the 2019 Maine Ski Hall of Fame, held at Sugarloaf Mountain on October 26. (photo by Dan Cassidy)…
Local Naval boatswain underway
JEFFERSON — U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Joshua Plummer, from Jefferson, mans a fuel line on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Atlantic Ocean, on November 5, 2019. The John C. Stennis is underway conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (photo).
Winslow Youth Cheerleading grades 3 – 7
Members of the third through seventh grades Winslow Youth Cheerleading squad (photo by Central Maine Photography)…
LETTERS: Government overreach removes our parental choice
from Ronda Snyder (Sidney) — What kind of choice is either homeschooling your child or forcing a medical procedure that you have seen cause them harm in the past? That is not a “choice.” It’s an ultimatum…
LETTERS: AARP fighting for prescription drug cost reductions
from Patricia Pinto (AARP) — On behalf of our 230,000 members, AARP Maine thanks Congressman Jared Golden for participating in our recent tele-town hall on prescription drug costs. Nearly 3,500 Mainers participated in the forum…
2019 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Due dates for 2019 Real Estate taxes for Albion, China, Palermo, Vassalboro, Waterville and Windsor…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS, GriefShare Support Group, Tues., November 19, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Palermo Christian Church. Special gathering with emphasis on dealing with grief that so often becomes stronger during the holidays. FMI: 993-2636… (…and many other local events!)
Obituaries
CHINA VILLAGE – On Wednesday, October 30, 2019, Robert “Bob” J. Wranosky Sr., 82, passed away in his home following a brief and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, on February 4, 1937, to John and Joan “Eunice” Wranosky… and remembering 10 others.
Common Ground – Round 11: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, December 6, 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: Pat Clark, Palermo
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | The deer didn’t stand a chance. The only thing the hunters didn’t have were laser guided ammunition or “smart” bullets. After they dispatched the animal, they would break into a wild celebration. What’s with that?…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Recently I mentioned the live Met Opera links being seen at the Waterville Opera House. This past Saturday, Puccini’s Madame Butterfly was scheduled there, starting at 12:55 p.m., as were October 12’s Turandot and October 26 Massenet Manon, both of which I attended…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | We’re talking about a small, possibly family-owned hardware store. Actually, it’s not that small compared to a store in the ‘50s when it was founded, but it is small compared to the big stores that we have around today. So, how do you fare against these big guys?…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy — I will pull myself away from partisan things and devote this article to veterans’ issues in tidbit fashion. The reason being there are many veterans issues in the fire currently. The upfront question that veterans seem to have as well as Social Security recipients is, “Will we receive the (COLA) Cost of Living Benefit this year and, if so, how much will we receive?”…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | You know I hate to do this to you, but I think it best I pass this information to you before you need it. Yes, winter is fast approaching for you. In Florida, about the only thing coming are more days the temperature is just about perfect. Our worst day here would be like one of your nice fall days…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | Selectman Keith Gallagher is resigning effective November 28, 2019. He and his family are moving out of state in December. The selectmen are sad to see him leave. He has been a real asset to the town and brought new knowledge and insight to the Board of Selectmen…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI)—If you’re eating meat on a daily basis, it appears you may be in the minority—according to new research. A survey of 2,000 Americans examined respondents’ eating habits and found that less than half (47 percent) said meat is a major part of their diet…