Issue for October 31, 2024
Central Maine historical societies gather
On Saturday, October 26, representatives from historical societies across central Maine met at the Vassalboro Historical Society, united by a shared goal: to preserve and celebrate Maine’s rich history. About two dozen history enthusiasts and society members gathered to share updates, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions to common issues… by Eric W. Austin
Murder by the Book back by popular demand for final show
Murder by the Book returns by popular demand following the sold out shows in mid-October. Join them for an epic final night if you missed it before or want to catch it again. The final show will be held on Saturday, November 2, at 7 p.m., at the Vassalboro Grange…
CAMPAIGN 2024
CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 1)
CENTRAL ME – The following are the responses candidates provided to us based on a questionnaire we sent out. (We received so many responses, they couldn’t all be included in a single issue of the paper. This is part one of those responses. Please view part 2 in this issue)…
CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 2)
CENTRAL ME – This is the second part of the responses candidates provided to us based on a questionnaire we sent out…
CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 3)
CENTRAL ME – This is the third part of the responses candidates provided to us based on a questionnaire we sent out…
CAMPAIGN 2024: Candidates address issues concerning Maine voters (Part 4) (new)
CENTRAL ME – This is the fourth part of the responses candidates provided to us based on a questionnaire we sent out…
Town News
Five referendum questions on China ballot
CHINA – China voters have a two-sided local ballot on Nov. 5, local elections on one side and five referendum questions on the other…
Committee continues talks on records storage vault
CHINA – China Municipal Building Committee member Edwin Bailey discussed his concerns about recent changes in the plan for a records storage vault at the town office building at an Oct. 24 committee meeting…
TIF committee lacks quorum at Oct. 28 meeting
CHINA – Only two members of China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee, chairman Brent Chesley and member Jamie Pitney, attended the Oct. 28 meeting. Though no decisions could be made without a quorum, Chesley and Pitney heard reports from TIF fund recipients…
Codes officer recommends cluster developments to planning board
CHINA – China planning board members continued review of the town’s subdivision ordinance at their Oct. 22 meeting, focused on clarifying a change Codes Officer Nicholas French is recommending…
No school in Vassalboro Nov. 5
VASSALBORO – An Oct. 21 public letter from Vassalboro School Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer tells residents that Nov. 5 plans have changed. Because voting will be at Vassalboro Community School (VCS), classes have been canceled for that Tuesday. The day will be made up in June 2025 as though it were a snow day…
Select board deals with cannabis petition, local tax abatements
WINDSOR – The Windsor Select Board dealt with a number of issues at their September 24, meeting. Town Clerk Kelly McGlothlin updated the select board on the petition for cannabis that they wanted to include on the November 5 ballot…
Somerset K of C completes two-year project
MADISON – The Knights of Columbus Guardian Angel Council of Somerset, Council #2089, of Madison and Skowhegan, have recently completed a two-year project at the St. Sebastian Cemetery, in Madison. The old iron fencing at the front of the cemetery was removed and replaced with newly-painted posts and chain link fencing…
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: “Take your stinking paws off me you damned dirty ape!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is November 7, 2024.
LETTERS: Strong support for Detre and Rumpf
from Jeanne Marquis (China Selectboard member) — As a current member of the Selectboard for the Town of China, I am writing to express my strong support for Tod Detre and Tom Rumpf as candidates for China Selectboard…
LETTERS: Excited to support Laura Jones
from Mary Schwanke (Vassalboro) — I am excited to support Laura’s candidacy because of her commitment to protecting our farms and Maine’s natural resources, building resiliency to climate change, and enhancing opportunities for small businesses…
LETTERS: Swift has deep roots in Maine
from Kathy Kellison (Windsor) — I urge you to vote for Pam Swift in House District 62, China, Windsor, Somerville and Hibberts Gore. Pam trusts you. She knows you and your doctor will make the best decisions for you and your health…
LETTERS: Garden of Governance
from Geoff Bates (South Bristol) — Like many folks at this time of year, I was outside recently, “putting my garden to bed” for the winter. Culling the items that I don’t want, removing the $%#! weeds, and laying in the plants and bulbs I look forward to in the spring…
LETTERS: A vote for our climate’s future
from Robert Morrison (Palermo) — Maine’s future depends on how we act today to protect our environment. With warming oceans and increasing hurricane risks like those seen in North Carolina, it’s clear we need strong leadership to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources…
LETTERS: Caregivers need our support
from Paul Armstrong (AARP Maine-Palermo) — Caregivers in Maine need support now more than ever before. I hope the candidates and Maine voters will keep caregivers in mind when they cast their ballot…
LETTERS: Brown person of unusual capacity
from Lisa Kushner (Belfast) — I was delighted to learn that Elise Brown, of Liberty, wants to work for our community by running for County Commissioner. Elise has already been working for our community for over 25 years as a foster and adoptive parent, a firefighter, an EMT, co-owner of an employee owned company, a restorative justice trained facilitator, and a steward of her home and property….
LETTERS: Laura Jones is a positive go-getter
from Janice Clowes (Vassalboro) — When Laura returned to her home town she returned with a mission to help. She reached out to the community and jumped in to help many of us improve our communication and technology skills….
LETTERS: Ray brings a wealth of experience
from Cheryl Wienges (Lincolnville) — As our election draws closer, I wanted to take the time to write a letter on behalf of Mike Ray, candidate for State Representative for Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill, and Searsmont. I believe Mike will the best person to serve our communities as our District #40 representative in Augusta…
LETTERS: Holly Stover has commitment
from Geoff Bates (South Bristol) — My wife and I have been married for over 40 years. That’s commitment (four kids, four states, 12 moves, 14 jobs between us). We’ve finally settled in South Bristol and have never been happier…
LETTERS: Elise Brown has proven experience
from Meredith Coffin (Freedom) — I am a voter from Freedom and wholly support Elise Brown who is running for Western Waldo County’s District #3 County Commissioner…
LETTERS: Will vote for Elise Brown
from Joanne Pease (Liberty) — We are so fortunate to have Elise Brown as a member of the Liberty Community. She has served our community as a firefighter and an EMT and as our appointed Emergency Management Director for many years…
LETTERS: Waldo County needs Elise Brown’s skills and experience
from Cathy Roberts (Montville) — I am excited that Elise Brown is running for the position of Waldo County Commissioner! As a former Montville Select Board member, I have had the opportunity to work with Elise directly on many issues…
LETTERS: Join me in voting for Laura Jones
from Marianne Stevens (Vassalboro) — I am voting for Laura Jones for State Representative for the district covering Vassalboro and Sidney. I’m supporting Laura not just because she grew up in Vassalboro in a family with deep roots in the community…
LETTERS: Wayne Farrin listens to your worries
from Anne Leslie (Wiscasset) — Forty years ago, I moved to Wiscasset from “away,” and ever since, my husband’s been explaining to me what it means to be a real Mainer…
LETTERS: Elect Labranche and Soucy
from Ken Fletcher (Winslow) — As election day nears, Winslow voters in Districts 2 and 4 will have the opportunity to select their next Town Councilors…
LETTERS: Business owner supports Farrin
from Lucy Flores (Wiscasset) — As a small business owner, I know how exciting – and challenging – it can be to start up and keep your dream alive…
LETTERS: Wayne Farrin embodies life in Midcoast Maine
from Jim Sitrick, Jr. (Jefferson) — One of the most positive experiences my family has enjoyed since we moved to Jefferson three years ago has been getting to know people in the community…
LETTERS: Elise Brown steps in to help all in need
from Chief Bill Gillespie (Liberty) — l am writing this letter of support for Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner District #3. I have been working with Elise for close to 20 years. First, as a member of Liberty Ambulance and then as the EMA Director for the Town of Liberty…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Veterans urged to take part in Veterans Day parade
WATERVILLE/WINSLOW — All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m…
EVENTS: Local vets invited to march in Veterans day parade
CENTRAL ME – All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m. It will be followed by lunch at MacCrillis-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8835, on Veterans Drive, in Winslow.
Grace McCarthy named to dean’s list at Massachusetts college
SIDNEY – Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, in Boston, Massachusetts, has announced that Grace McCarthy, of Sidney, has been named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2024 semester. Grace is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in health psychology. Grace will graduate from the Boston, Massachusetts campus in 2025.
Carolyn Snowman matriculates to Hamilton College
CANAAN – Carolyn Snowman, of Canaan, recently matriculated as a member of the Class of 2028, at Hamilton College, in Canton, New York. Snowman, a graduate of Skowhegan Area High School, was selected from a pool of 8,531 applicants from all 50 states and 139 countries and joins a community of approximately 2,000 undergraduate students.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Public supper in Freedom
FREEDOM – There will be public supper at the Freedom Congregational Church Hall on Saturday, November 2, from 4:30 – 6 p.m. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetable, baked beans, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, punch, coffee and assorted homemade desserts will be available for $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under, and children under 3 eat free… and many other local events!
Obituaries
JEFFERSON – Richard B. Gallion, 77, died suddenly on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Rick was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 11, 1947, the son of the late Virgil A. and Doris E. (Johnson) Gallion…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Vassalboro & Sidney (new)
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Another Kennebec Valley town incorporated April 26, 1771, simultaneously with Hallowell (then including Augusta), was Vassalboro, then including Sidney. Vassalboro’s and Sidney’s early educational systems will therefore be examined next… by Mary Grow
Around the Kennebec Valley: Augusta education – Part 2
AUGUSTA HISTORY — By 1820, James North wrote in his 1870 history of Augusta, the town was again thriving after the economic downturn caused by the War of 1812… by Mary Grow
Around the Kennebec Valley: Augusta education – Part 1
MAINE HISTORY — The town – now city – of Augusta was created on Feb. 20, 1797, when the Massachusetts legislature, responding to a local petition, divided the town of Hallowell… by Mary Grow
Around the Kennebec Valley: Education in 18th & 19th centuries, Part III
MAINE HISTORY — The local responsibility for public education made it one of the first topics for voters in each newly-organized 18th and 19th century Maine town. Frequently, historians wrote, it was not easy for people in a low-cash economy to raise money to pay a teacher, provide instructional materials and maintain a building… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, November 14, 2024
Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! Email your answer to townline@townline.org or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!
Previous winner: Carrie McGrath, So. China
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Earlier this summer, in a Facebook post, I saw where someone suggested there might be carp in Webber [Pond], based on a conversation with an angler…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | When I stopped by Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab this week, as there were no critters awaiting transfer to other rehabbers, Don and I talked again about how smoothly things have gone since his hospitalization in May and subsequent transition to semi-retirement…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | The Five Scamps, The Fishing Song; and Good Lover Blues. Columbia 30168, ten-inch 78, recorded 1949. The Five Scamps were an African American group of singers and instrumentalists who began performing informally in a WPA work camp in 1936 but then the story ends there until 1946…
MY POINT OF VIEW
by Gary Kennedy | The Five Scamps, The Fishing Song; and Good Lover Blues. Columbia 30168, ten-inch 78, recorded 1949. The Five Scamps were an African American group of singers and instrumentalists who began performing informally in a WPA work camp in 1936 but then the story ends there until 1946…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Whether you’re tied up at work, busy with school or just not feeling well, home delivery is a convenient and affordable way to get the products and medications you need. Good news…