Issue for July 17, 2025

Celebrating 37 years of local news

Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club

The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) hosted USA Olympic breaststroke medalist Cody Miller for a world-class Swim Clinic and Meet on July 11 – 12, 2025. This special two-day event offered an extraordinary opportunity for competitive swimmers to train with and learn from one of America’s most accomplished and inspirational athletes… by Mark Huard

Town News

Select board handles two agenda items in short order

China Town Office

CHINA – China select board members whipped through two short agendas in less than 10 minutes at their July 14 meetings. Meeting first as the town’s board of assessors, they unanimously approved a tax abatement for $2.34…

One application approved by planners

China Town Office

CHINA – China Planning Board members approved the only application on their July 8 agenda, partly because several board members considered it already approved six years ago…

Transfer station committee presented with draft mission statement

CHINA – At the July 8 China Transfer Station Committee meeting, Palermo representative Bob Kurek shared a mission statement for Palermo’s new Solid Waste Committee – one he had Artificial Intelligence (AI) write…

PHOTO: Sign of the times

CENTRAL ME — Making hay while the sun is shining. Photo by Gary Mazoki…

PHOTO: Mysterious sighting

SKOWHEGAN — Lite Zhang, of Skowhegan, sent along this photo of a mysterious 996 cutting in the grass. There has been no explanation, yet. Or, it could be a hoax…

PHOTO: Siblings attend first concert

CLINTON — Cameron Robinson, 11, and Zoey Robinson, 6, of Clinton, both attended their first ever concert on Saturday, July 5, at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, in Bangor. They both said they liked Kidz Bop and were excited that it was their first concert…

Madison Legion collecting school supplies

MADISON — The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison is collecting school supplies for students in MSAD #59 and RSU #74…

Friends of Lake Winnecook offers matching grants for erosion control practices

UNITY — Friends of Lake Winnecook, in partnership with the Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District, has announced the availability of matching grants available to landowners within the direct watershed of Unity Pond (Lake Winnecook), Eligible properties are located within the towns of Burnham, Thorndike, Troy and Unity…

Ella Conway graduates from Emerson College

SKOWHEGAN — Emerson College, in Boston, Massachusetts, awarded undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2025 during its 145th Commencement, at Agganis Arena, in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Among them was Ella Conway, of Skowhegan, who received a BA in Media Arts Production.

Catherine Gibbs awarded degree from UA

WINSLOW — Catherine Gibbs, of Winslow, has received a master of arts degree from the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Local student earns president’s list at Norwich University

AUGUSTA — Riley Geyer, of Augusta, has been recognized on the president’s list at Norwich University, in Northfield, Vermont, for the Spring 2025 semester.

Denali Norris named to Lasell Univ. dean’s list

WINSLOW — Denali Norris, a Lasell University student, in Newton, Massachusetts, from Winslow, was named to the dean’s list for their academic performance in the Spring 2025 semester.

Local happenings

EVENTS: “People of China, Maine” – China Historical Society annual meeting

CHINA — Join us for an evening celebrating the rich history of China, Maine! The China Historical Society’s 2025 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24th at 6:00 PM in the historic Old Town Hall (next to the China town office). This year’s program, “People of China, Maine,” will feature local speakers sharing fascinating stories about the town’s early settlers and the communities they built…

EVENTS: “Made in China” — A local art exhibition

CHINA — The China Historical Society is proud to present “Made in China,” a group art exhibition showcasing the work of artists who live in China, Maine – or whose work reflects the spirit, beauty, and stories of the town…

EVENTS: East Madison Days celebration

MADISON — Schedule for East Madison Days, July 18-July 20…

EVENTS: Spectacular laser show and concert to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard

CLINTON — Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry – which serves food-insecure children, seniors, and other adults from Winslow, Water­ville, Skow­hegan, Fairfield, and 20 other surrounding towns – will benefit from a spectacular Drive-in Laser Show and Concert coming to the Clinton Fairgrounds (1450 Bangor Road) from Thursday, July 31, through Saturday, August 2…

EVENTS: Bean supper at VUMC

WINSLOW — A traditional baked bean public supper will be held at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), at 614 Main Street/Rte. 32, on Saturday, July 19, 4:30 – 6 p.m. The supper is open to the public and the menu will include baked beans, hot dogs, casseroles and a variety of summer salads in addition to the traditional coleslaw, breads, beverages and pies. A donation of $10 per person is appreciated…

EVENTS: Benefit supper for accident victims

ALBION — The public is invited to support the family involved in the pedestrian accident on Hussey Hill Rd., in Albion, on Friday, July 11. Your meal includes spaghetti with your choice of homemade meat sauce or Alfredo, salad, garlic bread, beverages and dessert. Gluten free options will be available. Thank you in advance for giving this family some help and hope…

EVENTS: Tina’s Daylilies to host garden party for 11th annual MS fundraiser

JEFFERSON — Once again Tina’s Daylilies will be hosting their annual garden party fundraiser which is open to the public. This is the eleventh year Tina’s Daylilies has held this event. They will have door prizes, refreshments, live music and Tina says “we will have lots of blooms!”…

EVENTS: Art of Resistance July 26

WINSLOW — The Art of Resistance, Joy and Hope is meant to bring us together and remind us of what enlivens us and keeps us moving forward day after day. The event will be held on Saturday, July 26, 4 – 8 p.m., at the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow St., Winslow…

EVENTS: Historical groups offer insights to local shipbuilding

DAMARISCOTTA — On Saturday, July 19, the Damariscotta Historical Society, the Chapman-Hall House, and the Newcastle Historical Society will share with visitors a look at the tremendous work of local shipbuilders at three different locations…

EVENTS: Make an immediate difference by giving blood or platelets now

CENTRAL ME — Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 18-July 30 in Kennebec County…

Webber’s Pond

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous 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: “Bond. James Bond.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is August 7, 2025.

Give Us Your Best Shot!

The best recent photos from our readers!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual meeting

PALERMO – The Sheepscot Lake Association Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday, July 24, starting at 6:30 p.m., with a dessert potluck. In addition to addressing the lake association’s ongoing projects and activities, the board will host a guest speaker, Christopher Packard, author of Mythical Creatures of Maine: Fantastic Beasts from Legend and Folklore. The meeting will be held at the Palermo Consolidated School, on Rte. 3, in Palermo… and many other local events!

Obituaries

SKOWHEGAN – William F. Reid Jr., 86, died on Monday, May 12, 2025, from heart disease. He was born in Paw­tucket, Rhode Island, on September 29, 1938, to William and Marion Reid. An only child, Will grew up in the Old Town area of North Attleborough, Massachusetts…

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Early surveyors – John McKechnie (new)

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Another Kennebec Valley surveyor who worked for the Kennebec/Plymouth Proprietors/Company was Dr. John McKechnie (1730 or 1732 – April 14, 1782). Ernest Marriner, in his Kennebec Yesterdays, called McKechnie “one of those men of varied talents who meant so much to many pioneer communities” – “an educated physician, a civil engineer, a land surveyor, and a shrewd business entrepreneur”… by Mary Grow

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Early surveyors

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — As promised, the next articles in this series will introduce some of the important surveyors in the central Kennebec Valley as Massachusetts proprietors sold lots – mostly pieces of land they had never seen – to settlers, and other people began lumbering, trapping and farming without the formality of buying a lot… by Mary Grow

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Early land titles

KV HISTORY — The lawyers discussed in this series earlier this spring were undoubtedly important in the lives of European settlers in the central Kennebec Valley. Before the lawyers, and equally if not more important, were another group of professional men: the surveyors… by Mary Grow

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville City Hall

WATERVILLE HISTORY — This article will return to the history of a series of buildings, more cheerful than the Augusta jail(s) described in the June 5 story: Waterville’s town hall that became a city hall that was – and still is – combined with a large gathering space called an opera house… by Mary Grow

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | A little while back someone inquired about fireflies and how they have been scarce as of late. Well, the other night, my wife and I were treated with a light show like we have not seen in a while. We were sitting enjoying the warm summer night when the area to our right became lighted up with dozens of them…

VETERANS CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | It seems to this writer that the sharing of veteran information is a never ending circle. I have always loved being part of the Veteran Community. However, there are those who don’t see me as an asset to the hundreds, if not more veterans I have helped here and abroad…

AARP NEWS YOU CAN USE

by Joyce Bucciantini | Surrounded by the crisp ocean air and the deep green woods, it is easy to understand why Maine is called “Vacation Land.” From the early “rusticators” of the 1900s to modern tourists, people come to bask in Maine’s natural beauty each summer…

MAINE-LY GARDENING

by Jude Hsiang | Mid-summer cookouts will feature a wealth of garden produce: green salads with tomatoes, watermelon, and, of course, corn on the cob. Even the most confirmed meat eater looks forward to this special summer treat…

LIFE ON THE PLAINS

by Roland D. Hallee | Hello, folks. I’m baaaaack! By popular demand. Unfortunately, during our fast-paced lifetimes, we have seen the end of many eras. But the one that sticks out in my mind, which happened recently, was the disappearance of the drive-in theater. In recent years, the Winslow Drive-in, the Midway Drive-in, in Pittsfield, and more recently, the Skowhegan Drive-in, have all shuttered…

QUINN MINUTE

by Rix Quinn | Do you believe everyone should tell the truth? Well, I believe everyone else should…but occasionally I need to lie…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

HEALTH | Americans are struggling with rising healthcare costs, driven in large part by unchecked hospital pricing practices. When large hospital systems abuse their pricing power, local employers, small businesses, working families, and communities feel the resulting impacts—through soaring premiums, shrinking wages, and cuts to services we all rely on. The result: higher healthcare costs, fewer options, and risks to patient care…