Week of July 25, 2019

Celebrating 31 years of local news

China Lake Association holds annual meeting

Members hear about lake restoration from director of Maine Lakes Society

“We’re part of the problem,” Matthew Scott, the keynote speaker at this year’s China Lake Association annual meeting, told an audience of about 40 people on Saturday, July 20. “We’re also part of the solution.” His talk was entitled, “All Maine Lakes Are Vulnerable, Some More than Others”… by Eric W. Austin. [1744 words]

Your Local News

Selectmen postpone excavator decision for fourth time

CHINA — “We’ll make a decision shortly, Shawn,” China Selectboard Chairman Robert MacFarland promised Public Works Manager Shawn Reed as selectmen for the fourth time postponed action on his recommendation that they buy an excavator for the town…

Money is topic at selectmen’s meeting

VASSALBORO — At their July 18 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen talked about money (funding for the Vassalboro Sanitary District [VSD] expansion and buying a police car) and people (creating a new town solar committee and appointing its members, a change in codes officers and a neighborhood dispute)…

An open letter to our readers

from the Board of Directors — When a local newspaper dies, the biggest victims are small, rural communities like ours. The global nature of the internet means that more effort is going into the production of content based on national issues with a wider audience, and important local concerns are falling off the radar. Without a local newspaper, important community issues often go unreported… [844 words]

Unofficial returns for MSAD #49 school budget validation and referendum process

FAIRFIELD — Unofficial results from Fairfield for the July 23 MSAD #49 school budget validation referendum election, as provided by Christine Keller, town clerk, of the town of Fairfield…

ARI and Ladd Dam fishway update

VASSALBORO — The Alewife Restoration Initiative and Ladd Dam fishway construction update will be held on Thursday, August 1, at 6 p.m. Project partners will meet for an update on the fishway construction and a project overview, at the Olde Mill Place, 934 Main Street, in North Vassalboro…

Take our weekly survey!

[democracy id=”150″]

Easton camp property receives China LakeSmart award

CHINA — Marie Michaud, China’s LakeSmart coordinator, presents Bonnie Easton McGann, with a LakeSmart award at the China Lake Association annual meeting on July 20. Glen H Easton purchased this property on Killdeer Point in 1937…

Mac Smith talks about his book, Mainers on the Titanic

PALERMO — The Palermo Community Library will host Maine author, Mac Smith, as he discusses his book, Mainers on the Titanic. The presentation will be on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 6:30 p.m…

Community Center exposes Dark Money

PALERMO — Dark Money, a political thriller, examines one of the greatest present threats to American democracy: the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials. This film will be shown following a potluck dinner on Friday, August 26, at the Palermo Community Center…

Fishy photo: Swimming hole catch

VASSALBORO — Andre Phair, of Winslow, caught this smallmouth bass recently at the swimming hole in North Vassalboro (photo)…

Counting loons on Sheepscot Lake

PALERMO — Sheepscot Lake Association members were on the water early on July 20 to participate in the Maine Audubon Society 36th annual loon count. This year, six loons were counted on Sheepscot Lake, including a chick with parents (photo)…

First ever Intergenerational Day on the Kennebec River

CENTRAL ME — Don’t miss this first ever intergenerational day on the Kennebec River, in partnership with the Age-Friendly Communities of Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner, Augusta Downtown Alliance, Vision Hallowell, Gardiner Main Street and AARP Maine. Bring your own canoe, kayak, and equipment…

SCHOOL NEWS

Windsor’s Abby Haskell part of title-winning team, named to college dean’s list

WINDSOR — Abby Haskell, of Windsor, a liberal studies major at the University of Maine at Augusta student, recently was named to the dean’s list, and received the Student Athlete Spotlight for Outdoor Track and Field…

Kathleen McCowan was named to the Spring 2019 dean’s list at Muhlenberg College

WINSLOW — Kathleen McCowan, of Winslow, was named to the dean’s list at Muhlenberg College, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for the Spring 2019 semester…

Samantha Munro graduates cum laude from Becker College

WATERVILLE — Samantha Munro, of Waterville, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in Veterinary Science, Pre-Veterinary Concentration from Becker College, in Worcester, Massachusetts…

Leah Savage named to Adelphi University’s Spring 2019 dean’s list

SKOWHEGAN — Leah Savage, of Skowhegan, has been named to the Adelphi University spring 2019 dean’s list, in Garden City, New York…

Give Us Your Best Shot!

The best recent photos from our readers! Itchy eagles and wandering porcupines!

Lake Association Annual Meetings

When are Lake association meetings? Check here for Three Mile Pond, China Lake, Washington Lakes, Webber Pond and Annabessacook Lake.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WRITERS GROUP: Ever wondered what it takes to write for The Town Line? Join The Town Line’s writers, second Sunday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at The Town Line office, 575 Lakeview Drive. Next meeting is August 11. FMI: ericwaustin@gmail.com or 445-2234. (And many other local events!)

Obituaries

FAIRFIELD – Judith A. Turmelle, 73, passed away Friday, July 12, 2019, at her home, in Fairfield. She was born November 10, 1945, in Waterville, the daughter of Alphonse and Adele (Dube) Turmelle… and remembering 6 others…

Common Ground – Round 7: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Friday, August 9, 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, 11 KMD Plaza, Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville, next to the Dairy Queen!* Email your answer to townline@fairpoint.net or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer.

You may also mail your answer to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358. (To be eligible for the drawing, you must email or snail mail your answer to us.)

* Should there be more than one correct answer, a random drawing will be held to determine the winner.

Previous winner: Pat Clark, Palermo.

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Recently, Republican Rep. Chris Smith, of New Jersey, offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, requiring the Pentagon inspector general to conduct a review about whether the military may have experimented with making ticks into biological weapons…

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

by Dan Beaulieu | No matter how great your small business is, if nobody knows about it, you will fail. I have talked to many business owners who tell me that they do not need to advertise or market their companies right now because they have all the business they need. I always remind them…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | American poet Robert Frost (1874-1963) was one of the very few who could earn a living from poetry alone, not having to do other jobs. He was also the only winner of four Pulitzer prizes for poetry…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | Last month I told you I had discovered there are weeks to honor the holidays as well as individual days. August weeks are: July 3 to August 11 are the Dog Days of summer: the hottest and steamiest days of summer…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | I’m wondering how all of you have survived the hot, sticky weather we’ve been having recently? But then, we shouldn’t complain, after the extra cold, stormy winter we suffered through last winter!…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI)—Losing your health insurance can be stressful and confusing as you explore the options for new coverage. To recover, it is important to understand all your options, their costs and potential restrictions before purchasing new coverage. Careful planning can help you find the coverage that best meets your needs…