Week of March 21, 2019

Celebrating 30 years of local news

China selectmen respond to fire chiefs’ letter

Despite any assertions otherwise, the Board of Selectmen are not attempting to control the volunteer fire departments (VFDs) in China. As was correctly noted in the Letter, these are independent nonprofit corporations, organized under the authority of the Maine statutes. They are not municipal fire departments, so their requests for funding from the Town of China are similar to requests from other nonprofit organizations, such as the Red Cross, Meals-on-Wheels, etc…

(The China Board of Selectmen responds to “An open letter to China residents from the town’s fire chiefs” printed in last week’s issue of The Town Line.)

Your Local News

Selectmen agree to purchase property at head of lake

CHINA — After discussion in executive session at their March 18 meeting, the four board members present voted unanimously to pay Susan Bailey $7,500 for her piece of land at the head of China Lake’s east basin…

Nomination papers available in Vassalboro

VASSALBORO — Nomination papers are now available for Vassalboro’s June 11 local elections. One Selectboard member and two School Board members are to be elected…

New books available at China Village library

CHINA — The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, on Main Street in China Village, has a number of new books – and many older ones – to lend to area residents…

Fairfield announces facade improvement plan

FAIRFIELD — The town of Fairfield has launched a new program to enhance the economic vitality and character of the town’s commercial districts…

Take our weekly survey!

[democracy id=”133″]

2019 Real estate tax schedule

Find out when real estate taxes are due for China, Vassalboro, Windsor & Winslow.

Benefit for Ray Poulin planned

VASSALBORO — On Friday, March 22, from 7 – 11 p.m., the band RIF RAFF will be amping up the music at The Mill, 934 Main St., in Vassalboro, to benefit the Gift of Hearing for Ray Poulin…

Shakespeare presented by homeschoolers

MONMOUTH — Southern Maine Association of Shakespearean Homeschoolers (SMASH) presents The Tempest by William Shakespeare at historic Cumston Hall at Monmouth Theater starting Thursday, March 28…

Spring is here: Vidalia Onions are on sale!

PALERMO — Celebrate the end of winter by ordering sweet, juicy Vidalia onions from the Living Communities Foundation. The foundation supports the Palermo Community Center, which, in turn, hosts the Palermo Food Pantry…

Report on global fisheries

CHINA — The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library hosted Dr. Pamela MacRae, Associate Professor of Sustainable Fisheries Management at Unity College, who gave a very interesting and informative presentation on marine biology, local and global fisheries, and…

Michelle Boyer inducted in Whitefield Lions

COOPERS MILLS — Michelle Boyer, of Augusta, was inducted into the Whitefield Lions Club on March 14 at the regular meeting held at the Lions Den, in Coopers Mills…

School News

Kaitlyn Sutter helps raise over $117,000 for the UVM Children’s Hospital

PALERMO — In Burlington, Vermont, Kaitlyn Sutter, of Palermo, along with 40 teams and over 700 participants, has helped the University of Vermont’s annual student-led fundraising event RALLYTHON raise a record-breaking $117,520.29 for the UVM Children’s Hospital…

Local students inducted into NHS at “Virtual” High School

CENTRAL ME — Maine Connections Academy, the state’s first distance-learning charter school, announces 14 students who have been newly inducted into the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society…

Winslow’s unified basketball team enjoying season

WINSLOW — Lori Loftus, varsity Unified Basketball coach and special education teacher at Winslow High School, is working towards becoming a Special Olympics Unified Champion School…

Beane receives a scholarship from Husson University

FAIRFIELD — Husson University announced today that Fairfield, ME resident, Mallory Beane, will receive a $3000 Provost’s Leadership Scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

WATERVILLE: Child sex trafficking is a growing concern across urban, suburban and rural communities in the U.S. It transcends racial, ethnic, gender and socio-economic boundaries. Learn what is happening by attending a lecture on the subject to be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church…

Obituaries

UNITY – Carol J. Fowler, 81, of Unity passed away peacefully on Sunday, March, 10, 2019. She was born Nov­em­ber 29, 1937, in Skow­hegan, the daughter of Richard Mathieu and Louvine (Nadeau) Mathieu… and remembering 12 others…

Common Ground – Round 3: Win a $10 gift certificate!

Identify the men 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, next to the Dairy Queen! Email your answer to townline@fairpoint.net or visit our Contact page.

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | We have visited with coyotes before, but it may be time to take another look at the distribution of this predator. First of all, let me say there are an estimated 15,000 coyotes in the state of Maine…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | A live link from London’s Barbican Centre that I watched this past Sunday, March 10, 2019, and available on YouTube until June 10, 2019; this includes two intermission features from host Rachel Leach…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | I decided to share the “Puzzle of the Month” with you and hope that you will enjoy it. The answers will be in The Town Line’s edition next week…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | The East Madison Historical Association will be welcoming spring by hosting a chili and chowder supper on Saturday, March 30. On the menu will be items from the upcoming EMHA cookbook including corn and fish chowders…