Issue for April 24, 2025
Erskine presents Renaissance awards
On Friday, April 4, 2025, Erskine Academy students and staff attended a Renaissance Assembly to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards…
Town News
Select board has not been asked to sell transfer station
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members have not been asked to sell the town transfer station, merely to consider sharing a small part of it…
LETTERS: Somerville adrift
from Michael Cox (Somerville Resident) – The letter portraying Somerville as a ship cast into chaos after a “mutiny” overlooks some critical truths. There was no mutiny. There was a vote – and the so-called “captain” wasn’t tossed overboard; he was removed by the will of the people. He didn’t even choose to stand on the ballot. Instead, he opted for a last-minute, clandestine write-in campaign – one seemingly aimed less at public service and more at undermining a fellow Somerville resident who had the integrity to run openly and transparently. Let’s not rewrite history…
LETTERS: Electricity rates continue to be a burden on Mainers
from John White (Greene) – Rising electricity rates continue to be a burden on Mainers which is why I am writing to express concern regarding LD 186, “An Act to Clarify the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Authority to Establish Time of Use Pricing for Standard Offer Service.” This bill could have a significant impact on older Mainers’ electric bills…
Open letter to our readers
At The Town Line, we aren’t just reporting news—we’re telling the stories that shape our community. Written by locals, for locals, our paper reflects the heart and soul of central Maine. We exist because of you, our readers and local businesses, and we believe that when our community thrives, so does The Town Line…
Does your town have a seed library
CHINA — Does your town have a Seed Library? Seed Libraries are found all over the world, enabling gardeners to save money and try new types of vegetables, herbs, and flowers… by Jude Hsiang
HealthReach celebrates 50 years of providing rural healthcare services
WATERVILLE — Connie Coggins, HealthReach President & CEO, is happy to commemorate an important milestone: in 2025, HealthReach Community Health Centers marks its 50th year of providing high-quality, affordable care to rural Maine…
Old decorations at Albion Cemetery need to be removed
ALBION — The Albion Cemetery Committee asks that all old decorations on graves be removed by May 1. Please carry out the old decorations or place in receptacles provided. Removal by May 1 makes it easier for maintenance to be done.
104-year-old Augusta Symphony Orchestra thrives with new conductor and dedicated community musicians
AUGUSTA — On an autumn evening in 1920, a small group of Augusta area musicians gathered in the home of Ernest Hill, a renowned performer who had played in orchestras across the country…
Maine-ly Harmony installs officers
GARDINER — Maine-ly Harmony a cappella barbershop chorus rehearse at the Highland Ave. United Methodist Church, 31 Highland Ave., in Gardiner, Wednesdays 6:30 to 9 p.m. They recently held installation of officers…
ShineOnCass free lending library opens at Kennebec Valley YMCA
AUGUSTA — The newest community Little Free Library to pop up in central Maine is shining a light on youth literacy and putting books into the hands of hundreds of children who attend the Kennebec Valley YMCA, in Augusta. The ShineOnCass Lending Library was installed this week, just in time for National Reading Month…
HealthReach welcomes new clinician, Rachel Palmer, FNP
CENTRAL ME — This May, staff of the Sheepscot Valley Health Center are happy to welcome Rachel Palmer, FNP, to their professional healthcare team. Rachel earned her Master of Nursing degree from Herzing University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin…
AARP Maine seeks Andrus Award nominees
CENTRAL ME — AARP Maine is seeking nominations for its 2025 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors individuals 50 and over who share their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of others in their community. The annual award is named after AARP’s founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who founded AARP in 1958 at the age of 73. The nomination deadline is July 15, 2025…
Fast Fables: Prehistoric humans
We don’t give prehistoric people enough credit. These remarkable folks learned to walk upright, discovered fire, and invented the wheel. Sadly, they made that wheel out of wood, accidentally set it on fire…then had to start over again… by Rix Quinn
Carrabec High School announces Valedictorian, Salutatorian and top 10 seniors
No.ANSON — Peter Campbell, Principal, of Carrabec High School, in North Anson, has announced honor parts for the Class of 2025 at Carrabec High School…
Griffin Brown named to The College of Charleston president’s list
OAKLAND — Griffin Brown, of Oakland, was named to the College of Charleston Fall 2024 President’s List, in Charleston, South Carolina. Brown is majoring in Mathematics and Physics.
Local residents named to Clark University’s dean’s list
CENTRAL ME — Clark University, in Worcester, Massachusetts, announced students named to the Fall 2024 dean’s list. Samantha N. Golden, of South China, was named to second honors. Brexton E. Getchell, of Unity, was named to second honors. Jasper Q. New, of Jefferson, was named to first honors. Frankie D. Roberts, of Unity, was named to second honors.
Isabella McGlashing named to the fall dean’s list at Emmanuel College
MERCER — Isabella McGlashing, of Mercer, has been named to Emmanuel College’s Fall 2024 dean’s list in recognition of academic excellence, in Boston, Massachusetts. McGlashing is a Psychology – Counseling & Health Psychology major.
Webber’s Pond Comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident…
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is May 8, 2025.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Spring in full bloom
VASSALBORO – Spring is in full bloom at the Grand Central Cafe, at 11 Railroad Square, in Waterville! An all flower art show featuring the art work of award-winning photographer Jen Hickey fills the cafe with vibrant colors and natural beauty. Over 30 pieces of art highlighting the grace and allurement of flowers, many native to Maine, adorn the walls…
EVENTS: ShineOnCass animal baby shower & PJ party
ALBION – Children dressed in their pajamas will welcome baby lambs, goats, calves and other newborn animals also wearing pajamas, on Sunday, May 4, at the ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center, in Albion…
Obituaries
WINSLOW – Alice Marie Regina (Bizier) King-Starke passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, following a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Friday, May 2, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Matilda the Musical at WOH
WATERVILLE – The children are revolting; they can smell rebellion; they’re counting on a miracle; they’re ready to get naughty: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical opens at the Waterville Opera House on Friday, April 25!… and many other local events!
EVENTS: Local central Maine Town Meetings schedule for 2025
CENTRAL ME – List of area town meetings. To be included in this list, visit our Contact Us page or send an email to The Town Line at townline@townline.org…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Small town lawyers (new)
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — While looking for information for the previous articles on Maine’s legal and court systems and people who made them work, your writer came across related information that falls under two headings, people and buildings… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Courts – Part 4
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — William Penn Whitehouse has been mentioned in each of the three articles about Maine courts so far in this subseries; it’s time he got a page of his own (after a digression). The first mention, March 27, identified Whitehouse as the author of the chapter on the history of Maine courts in Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Courts – Part 3
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Remembering that Maine’s early population centers were along the coast, and mostly from Portland south, it is not surprising that three of Maine’s first four state Supreme Court chief justices came from that area… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Lower courts & Augusta Courthouse
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Last week’s article summarized part of the origin of Maine’s court system, including the 1820 creation of the state Supreme Court. The next level below the Supreme Court, according to William Penn Whitehouse’s information in Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history, was the court of common pleas… by Mary Grow
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | In 2024, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Tick Lab processed 4,776 tick submissions including samples from 398 towns, representing all of Maine’s 16 counties. The majority (3,650) were identified as deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, while American dog ticks accounted for 1,045 samples…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | Rhododendrons are popular shrubs that require little care once properly planted and established. They thrive in New England’s acid soil and prefer light shade, conditions many of us can provide. There are over one thousand species and include azaleas. Most are native to Asia, but there are several North American species. As they have a wide range of mature sizes and flower colors, some are evergreen and some deciduous. Some varieties are very fragrant…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jayne Winters | In looking through old articles and photo albums from Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center, I discovered a story about a baby moose that arrived at the Cotes’ in 1993. What follows is part of Carleen’s column from August 1997, recounting that experience…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Recently I have been browsing through volumes of the Library of Universal Knowledge, published in 1880, not so much for information on any particular subject but for how it was discussed in 1880. A few examples…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Spring into health this season by refreshing your well-being routine and building healthier habits for the rest of the year. While many Americans make health a primary focus of their New Year’s resolutions, 57 percent of recent survey respondents said they take up healthier lifestyle choices only after having a medical concern…