Week of January 18, 2018

January 17, 2018/by Website Editor

Week of January 18, 2018

Skowhegan library children’s section awarded grant

SKOWHEGAN — Word has recently been received by the Skowhegan Free Public Library that the children’s section of the library has been chosen as a recipient of the Dorothy Louise Kyler Foundation grant in the amount of $5,000. The foundation specifies that all funds must be spent on books, audio books, CDs, and DVDs for the children’s collection […]

Your Local News

CHINA: Varneys withdraw application for commercial gatherings

CHINA — Parris and Catherine Varney have withdrawn their controversial application for a permit to allow commercial gatherings and events in their barn at 701 Neck Road. In a Jan. 9 letter to Codes Officer Paul Mitnik, Palermo attorney Matthew Evans, representing the Varneys, said, “In light of the irrational, to the point of being delusional, opposition to the Barn Venue,” the couple decided to make no additional financial investment in the project […]

VASSALBORO: Groups agree communications are good among agencies

VASSALBORO — At the instigation of new board member John Melrose, Vassalboro selectmen invited town emergency responders to their Jan. 11 meeting to talk about response to the October 2017 windstorm, which left many parts of town without electricity for days […]

Havoc on the Kennebec River

AUGUSTA — Recent warm weather, heavy rains and the return to cold temperatures raised havoc on the Kennebec River, with ice jams causing unanticipated flooding that left many motorists’ cars stranded in Hallowell. Photos by Tawni Lively, Central Maine Photography staff […]

The Town Line to benefit from Hannaford’s Reusable Bag Program

CHINA — The Town Line newspaper, a nonprofit committed to serving area communities, has been selected as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program for the month of February […]

A look at the top stories from The Town Line in 2017

Webber Pond president updates on lake conditions

VASSALBORO — By way of update, the winter is going well. We had an extended period of really cold weather. Many days in a row where the thermometer at my house was minus-25 degrees. Suddenly, there was a radical shift in the jet stream and we had two days of torrential rain with temperatures in the 40s […]

Banish boredom at South China Public Library; new book titles available; Fire and Fury on order

So. CHINA — Just in the nick of time – South China Library has added many new books for your winter reading. Here is a sampling of new materials received. The newest books by David Baldacci, James Patterson, Sandra Brown, Tess Gerritsen, John Grisham, Stephen King and Jan Karon, to name just a few popular authors, are now available. Our collection of large print books grows with every order […]

CHINA: Selectmen’s meeting to be preceded by RLF committee meeting

CHINA — The Jan. 22 China selectmen’s meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., will be preceded by a 6:30 p.m. meeting of the Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) subcommittee of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee. Both meetings will be in the town office […]

Do you have news about your town? Send us an email and let us know!
Visit our contact page!

Local students named to dean’s list at Stonehill College

Researchers see potential role for dancing

by Bob Brown | I was recently reading an article written by Scott Edwards, Harvard Medical School Correspondent that really got my attention. Many of us have been aware for years that there are positive health benefits to dancing and movement, but this was an up-to-date version with a little different slant […]

Letter to the Editor: Firefighters thank supporters

by Tim Theriault | “The China Village Volunteer Fire Department has raised $48 through the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program. The Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program launched in October 2015 and is designed to support local nonprofits through the sale of the reusable Cause bag […]”

Weather doesn’t bother this hunter

CHINA — Undeterred by any kind of weather, this bald eagle was captured in this photograph by Michael Bilinsky, of China Village, as it swept down to grab a fish. What makes this photo special is that this moment was over in the blink of an eye […]

Obituaries – week of January 18, 2018

FAIRFIELD – Barbara M. Greenlaw, 91, passed away on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. She was born on July 25, 1926, to Hugh Allen and Lia Belle (Trimm) Fox Sr., in Blanchard…. and 18 others…

Take our weekly survey!
[democracy id=”77″]

Town Line Original Columnists

SCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | On our way home to Waterville driving along Rte. 201 recently, during the recent unseasonable warm spell, my wife and I observed a raccoon walking along the roadside in Winslow. My first thought: “A raccoon out during the day is not normal, and could mean it is rabid […]”

Raccoons should be left alone no matter where you see them

REVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | This very generously filled package of five CDs contains some of the most lovable classical music in the world by Robert Schumann, 1810-1856; very nicely performed and blessed with vibrant digital sound; and priced in a range very close to ten bucks […]

Composer: Schumann; Movie: Boys’ Night Out; Band Leader: Ralph Flanagan

SOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy! Have been sitting here at my computer desk cleaning out cubbyholes to see what I can find to write about this week. It’s an awful feeling not to have any real news to share with you, especially after coming across an old yellowed clipping that I had saved with many names telling of who had been visiting who in those long ago times. Now-a- days, people prefer their privacy […]

Today’s world could benefit from old newspaper clipping on good manners

If Walls Could Talk

by Katie Ouilette | WALLS, y’know, I’m having a hard time believing that 2018 is our year already, but I have had a lot of reminiscing to do, as I’ve been cleaning out a lot of papers that I’ve been saving for ideas to write about for you. I came across a write-up about shower parties. Yes, I’m sure there are marriages being planned and, frankly, so many young folks are having outdoor weddings these days […]

Practice of bridal showers began in 1890s

I’m Just Curious

by Debbie Walker | Happy New Year! Oh yeah, it is that time again. The time of year when we once again are reminded we are not perfect! The magazines developed for women are going to give us the answers to improve us, yet again! The magazines I am looking at now do not have very much information geared towards men; in all fairness I don’t remember seeing any magazines for men. I’ll have to pay closer attention next week and really look over the magazine rack […]

Maybe you can use some of these

For Your Health

When it’s cold outside—and hot and dry inside—your lips need extra care to stay soft and feel comfortable. Here are five helpful tips! […]

How To Look Out For Your Lips This Winter

Week of January 11, 2018

January 10, 2018/by Website Editor

Week of January 11, 2018

Fairfield ‘Cops Care for Kids’ program bigger and better

The Cops Care for Kids program was initially started and funded by Kingston Paul, who was the former Detective Captain at the Fairfield Police Department. The program started with an idea that the police wanted to build a great relationship with our community and the children of our community. They started out by delivering just one stuffed animal to approximately 50 children with a tag attached with all the officer’s names on them […]

Your Local News

Tucker Leonard earns Eagle Scout rank

PALERMO — On October 8, 2017, Tucker Leonard completed his Eagle Project at the Palermo Grammar School. As a member of China Boy Scout Troop #479, Tucker’s project was to select a space on the trails in back of the school to clear an area for an outdoor class […]

Greenwoods celebrate 26th wedding anniversary

WINDSOR — Whitefield Lions Joe and Carolyn Greenwood, of Windsor, celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary on December 14, 2017. The Greenwoods have been active members in the club for 12 years since moving to Maine from Amesbury, Massachusetts […]

McKenzie Brunelle returns following intensive research project

SIDNEY — McKenzie Brunelle, of Sidney, a member of the class of 2018, majoring in biomedical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in Worcester, Massachusetts, was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense, hands-on research project in London, England. The project was titled A Plan to Improve the Internet Presence of Commonside […]

Waterville’s High Hopes Clubhouse receives international distinction

WATERVILLE — Kennebec Behavioral Health’s High Hopes Clubhouse recently was recognized by Clubhouse International as a clubhouse of distinction among all clubhouses worldwide. High Hopes, which provides employment, education and social opportunities for people with severe and persistent mental illness, has been recognized among all clubhouse as having the highest percent of its members – 79 percent – who are working in supported or independent employment […]

Senior College forum to hear about Real or Fake News

AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta College of Arts and Sciences and the University of Maine at Augusta Senior College has announced the next Forum on the Future entitled News, Real or Fake? […]

Area students named to Colby-Sawyer College dean’s list Fall 2017

CENTRAL MAINE — Colby-Sawyer College, in New London, New Hampshire, recognizes 254 students for outstanding academic achievement during the 2017 fall semester. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours in graded courses […]

Matthew Steward named to dean’s list at Bob Jones University

SKOWHEGAN — Matthew Steward, a sophomore criminal justice major, of Skowhegan, was among approximately 890 Bob Jones University students named to the Fall 2017 Dean’s List, in Greenville, South Carolina. The dean’s list recognizes students who earn a 3.00-3.74 grade point average during the semester […]

Food industry needs to stop hiding nutrition info

by Mindy Haar | Nearly four in ten American adults are obese. That’s an all-time high. The Food and Drug Administration proposed two rules to help combat this epidemic. The first would require chain restaurants to include calorie counts on their menus. The second would update the Nutrition Facts Label – the black-and-white nutritional content box […]

Do you have news about your town? Send us an email and let us know!
Visit our contact page!

Letter to the Editor: The China Bicentennial

by Neil Farrington | Let’s start with the year [we had] without a summer, 1816. Imagine a town that bases its whole existence on farming or selling goods to the farmer. Without summer it’s impossible to raise food and grain for your family and farm animals. Families came together and survived […]

Town of China Police Log November/December 2017

November 2: 2 – 5 p.m., checking camp roads and side roads on the east side of China Lake.
November 4: 9:30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m., checking camp roads and side roads on the west side of China Lake.
November 5: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., checking the remainder of roads in town […]

Obituaries – week of January 11, 2018

UNITY – Lloyd (Buddy) Earl Burt, 85, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at the Maine Veterans Home, in Bangor. Buddy was born on April 29, 1932, in Burnham, where he resided most of his life… and 18 others…

Take our weekly survey!
[democracy id=”76″]

Town Line Original Columnists

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Was it a Sharp-shinned hawk or a Cooper’s hawk? Hard to tell

by Roland D. Hallee | I have seen some interesting acts of Mother Nature during my travels, but what happened last week probably tops most of them. The first was somewhat insignificant because I had seen it one time before. Arriving home from work late last Wednesday, I noticed a dead crow in my backyard. But what I saw on Saturday, topped that without a contest […]

Was it a Sharp-shinned hawk or a Cooper’s hawk? Hard to tell

GARDEN WORKS: Bored in Wintertime? Read on for the remedy

by Emily Cates | For a while there, I’d thought Old Man Winter had forgotten us. No such luck! Now that we’re basking in the ice and snow, at least we can be comforted by the thought that the Solstice is behind us and the days will now start to get longer. Would it be a good time to take a respite from garden activities? Perhaps. But what if we’re feeling restless and would rather enjoy the satisfaction from getting things done? Well, then, read on for a few seasonally-appropriate suggestions; this time we’ll focus on a variety of activities, including pruning and tool maintenance […]

Bored in Wintertime? Read on for the remedy

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Singer: Elvis Presley; Movie: Gangster Story; Composer: Brahms

by Peter Cates | Teddy Bear was a huge number one hit on the rock, country and rhythm and blues charts for the great Elvis (1935-1977). Both songs here were also part of the 1957 film, with the same name, and its soundtrack LP, consisting totally of Presley performances. Teddy Bear’s lyricist Bernie Lowe (1917-2001) was also a businessman who established Cameo records in 1956, which later expanded to Cameo/Parkway. He would sign an unknown singer, Ernest Evans, to the label, who himself later changed his name to Chubby Checker! […]

Singer: Elvis Presley; Movie: Gangster Story; Composer: Brahms

TRAINING YOUR DOG: Obedience – the foundation of all we do with our dogs

by Carolyn Fuhrer | AKC defines its obedience program as trials set up to demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring to emphasize the usefulness of the dog as a companion to humans; and it is essential that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment while it is working, and that handling be smooth and natural without harsh commands […]

Obedience – the foundation of all we do with our dogs

Solon & Beyond

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

Some of this week’s news will be rather old because of the holidays and the fact that The Town Line wasn’t published on the week of Christmas. I find the news from Solon Elementary School very interesting so I try to get as much of it in this column as possible, but it is a little bit late […]