Erskine announces virtual food drive

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As part of the recently announced School Spirit Challenge, Erskine Academy has announced access to a virtual food drive.  Interested parties are encouraged to visit https://www.gsfb.org/donate/vfd/550 to “shop” online for food products or to make a financial donation to Good Shepherd on behalf of Erskine Academy.  Virtual contributions made by October 28, 2016, will be applied towards Erskine Academy’s competition with seven other Maine high schools vying to become School Spirit Champion.

For competition purposes, every dollar sent – virtually, by mail, or brought to the school – is “weighed” as five pounds of food.  More importantly, Good Shepherd’s ability to purchase food wholesale assures that every dollar raised buys five pounds of food.  Therefore, every gift received is leveraged for maximum benefit.  Those residing in the vicinity of Erskine Academy are encouraged to participate in the school’s “Fill the Bus!” campaign by donating redeemable cans and bottles through October 14. Bottles and cans can be dropped off by the bus on the school’s front lawn and will be added to the food and fund campaign.

China slate of officers released for Nov. 8

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by Mary Grow

China voters will choose among seven candidates for three positions on the Board of Selectmen at Nov. 8 local elections.

For other town boards, there are no contests and one empty line on the ballot, for Budget Committee secretary.

Candidates for selectmen, in alphabetical order as listed on the draft ballot, are Albert Althenn, Joann Austin (incumbent), Wayne Chadwick, Neil Farrington (incumbent), Jeffrey LaVerdiere, Robert MacFarland (incumbent) and Raymond Robert.

Running without opposition are incumbent planning board members Toni Wall (District 2), Thomas Miragliuolo (District 4) and Frank Soares (member at large); incumbent budget committee members Thomas Rumpf (District 2) and Timothy Basham (District 4) and potential new member Valerie Baker (member at large); and Dawn Castner for representative on the Regional School Unit #18 board of directors.   If elected, Baker and Castner will succeed Jonathan Vogel and Robert Bennett, respectively.

China polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the former portable classroom beside the town office on Lakeview Drive.

Letters to the editor, Week of October 6, 2016

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Theriault our choice

To the editor:

It was during a very sorrowful time in my family’s life that I got to meet Mr. [John] Glowa. We were all gathered at my in-laws on Hime Hill when he came campaigning for state representative.

First off he made the statement that he had worked for the state of Maine for “X” number of years, drew a big salary and did nothing – his own words. I don’t think I would be so proud of that, and we, as taxpayers, were paying his salary.

In regards to Mr. Pauley’s letter to the editor [The Town Line, September 29, 2016 issue] about his confrontational nature. Well, we all saw that first hand. He was asked how he stands on an issue and he, in his own words again, said, “That is a no brainer.” Well, I for one like to think that issues of importance are not a “no brainer.” When he was asked to leave, did he say thank you for all your time and get in his truck and leave? No, he became argumentative, could not accept that we did not agree with him and finally was escorted to his truck, and asked to not come back.

Ask yourself – is this the type of person we want representing us in Augusta?

Think before you vote on November 8.

Carrol White
China

Vote the Republicans out

To the editor:

Here in Belfast we have done very well. We’re alive with businesses hiring, Mainers and tourists love visiting, and locals enjoying a “real” town that is recognized and cheered state wide.

As Mayor of Belfast for eight years and now a four-term city council member, I’ve watched as Maine fell far behind the region and country. Six years ago the state elected Governor [Paul] Le Page and two years later we elected a Republican legislature. Most of Maine, other than the coast and  southern Maine (which the governor dismisses as Northern Massachusetts), have suffered badly under this governor and his legislature.

The latest outrages by LePage camouflage how badly his administration and the Republican senators and representatives have failed Maine. Instead of talking about the deep harm caused by their radical experiment we’re talking about  a foul mouthed loose cannon.

This November we have one last chance to begin to right the state. If we miss this one chance we’ll be another 3-4 years before we can begin to straighten out all the damage LePage and the legislature has done.

The Republican majority needs to be thrown out. In Waldo County we must elect Jonathan Fulford to the Maine Senate. In every district and county of Maine every Republican must be voted out of office. No matter what they have done individually, as a party they have failed Maine. If you care about Maine’s future we need to vote the Republican’s out. Vote: the future is on the ballot.

Mike Hurley
Belfast

China: Public hearing set on events center application

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members have scheduled an Oct. 11 public hearing on Parris and Catherine Varney’s application to use the barn on their property at 701 Neck Road for weddings and other events.

The board’s initial discussion of the application at their Sept. 27 meeting drew an audience of a dozen neighbors.  Board member James Wilkens, who lives across the road from the Varney property, asked questions but abstained from voting.

Planning Board Chairman Frank Soares said two neighbors had written to the board expressing concerns about traffic and other issues.

The Varneys said they intend to rent out the barn, with hired caterers, music (either a disc jockey or a band) and a bar.  Most events would be entirely inside the barn, unless a couple wanted to exchange vows outside under a tent.  There would not be outdoor music or speakers, they said.

They intend to rent portable toilets that will be behind the barn, not visible from Neck Road. Parking will be off the road in a field behind the barn.  They seek permission to host events seven days a week and to run them until 11 p.m.

Parris Varney said the barn had been used in June for his daughter’s wedding, which he estimated brought almost 150 guests. He said he had not yet talked with the state fire marshal or local fire and rescue personnel.  Board member Toni Wall asked him to ask someone from the China Village fire department to check the property for adequate access for emergency vehicles before the Oct. 11 hearing.

Of the two other applications on the planning board’s Sept. 27 agenda, one was quickly approved and one was postponed because it was incomplete.

Edwin and Tammy Bailey received approval to replace the 50-year-old building that houses their Route 3 redemption center with a new single-story building – “just a box,” Edwin Bailey said – on the same foundation.  They do not intend any changes in the business or business hours, plumbing, landscaping or anything else planning board members saw as impacting neighbors or the environment.

Dylan Fortin’s after-the-fact application for an auto repair and towing business at his house at 427 Pleasant View Ridge Road lacked required information, so Soares returned it to him to complete before Oct. 11. Codes Officer Paul Mitnik got in touch with Fortin after receiving a complaint about an unlicensed business.  Fortin immediately came to his office and began the application process, Mitnik said.

Fortin said he had been doing auto repairs part-time for about two months and intended to apply for a permit, but “Paul got to me before I got to him.”

Holmes descendants hold first reunion since 1925

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by Roland D. Hallee
Descendants of James and Augusta Holmes

Descendants of James and Augusta Holmes who attended the reunion on October 2. Contributed photo

On October 2, the descendants of James and Augusta Holmes gathered for their first reunion since 1925.

The get-together began with the family members, approximately 65 in all, meeting at the Chadwick Hill Cemetery, across from Erskine Academy, in South China, on the Windsor Road.  James and Augusta Holmes, and their daughter Idella (Holmes) Chadwich and her family are all buried there.

The group continued the reunion by meeting at the former home of James and Augusta Holmes, located on Village St., in South China, across from the South China Public Library.

James Hoyt Holmes was born in 1844, and married the former Augusta Corey, in 1870. She was born in 1850. James was the fifth child of Daniel Holmes and Charlotte Hoyt Holmes.

They had four children: Harry Sanborn Holmes (1872-1954); Idella M. Holmes (1874-1976); Maude E. Holmes (1878-1973); and Frank James Holmes (1880-1912).

James Holmes and Augusta Corey Holmes & their four children

Clockwise from large top picture: James Holmes and Augusta Corey Holmes & their four children: Frank Holmes, Maude Holmes Glocksen, Idella Holmes (Chadwick), & Harry Holmes Sr.

They lived in or around Hillgrove, Petitcodiac, and then Salisbury (New Brunswick, Canada) until 1881, when they moved to Caribou. Somewhere between 1900 and 1910 they moved to South China. They bought a large home previously known as The Mission House. Many people in South China were of the “Friends” religion, also known as Quakers. Though previously Baptists, James and Augusta adopted the Quaker religion in South China, making many friends in the community, and attaining esteemed reputations in civic and social groups. They often had family visit them in their South China home.

James died in 1927, at the age of 83, and Augusta passed away in 1929, at the age of 79.