Issue for October 16, 2025
Sidney’s Rainbow Valley Farm recognized as Maine Dairy Farm of the Year
The Maine dairy community honored Rainbow Valley Farm and the Bragg family, of Sidney, as the 2025 Maine Dairy Farm and Family of the Year, part of the New England Green Pastures Award. The Bragg family was recognized by their peers for their strong dedication to stewardship, innovation and community involvement in the dairy industry. A formal presentation was held at this year’s Big E, in Massachusetts, last month, with another ceremony planned for the 2026 Maine Dairy Seminar…
Town News
Rage Room owners guided through permit application process
VASSALBORO – Monica Stanton, operator of the Rage Room, in North Vassalboro, got instructions on filing a complete application for her business at the Oct. 7 Vassalboro Planning Board meeting…
Board of appeals postpones action on road name
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro Board of Appeals members, meeting Oct. 9, postponed action on an appeal of a road name until they have time to publicize the required public hearing. They scheduled the hearing for 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, in the town office meeting room…
Appeals board postpones decision on lot size
CHINA – China Board of Appeals members, for the second week in a row, postponed a decision on Timothy Theriault’s request for a variance from lot size requirements…
Board of appeals postpones decision on permit denial
CHINA – Four members of the China Board of Appeals met Oct. 2 and postponed a decision on Timothy Theriault’s request for a variance to allow a re-division of his two lots on Lakeview Drive…
LETTERS: Say Grats at Dinner
from Gary Jump (Itasca, Illinois) – When we read about problems and tragedies it’s easy to become distressed. To increase happiness, think about things for which you have gratitude. My family does this at the end of dinner when we say “grats.” This involves one person telling us three things for which she or he is grateful. Then we have a conversation about what was said. Being the old guy at the table, I often discuss how one of those things was different in earlier times…
5th Annual Christmas Stocking and Hanukkah Dreidels
VASSALBORO — As part of their mission to thank veterans for their service, American Legion Post #126, in Vassalboro, is planning its Annual Christmas Stocking and Hanukkah Dreidel for veterans served by the Togus outreach programs. American Legion Post #126 needs your help with this project. In 2024 the Sew for a Cause sewers made and donated 250 stockings and dreidels that volunteers filled with personal care products donated from area businesses and the public…
Conservation District seeks nomination for Board of Supervisors
ROCKPORT – Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District has one opening on its five-member Board of Supervisors. The volunteer board, which is responsible for guiding the District’s business affairs and operations in it’s mission to provide assistance to the community in conservation of land and water resources, is comprised of three elected and two appointed supervisors, who each serve overlapping three-year terms. This year we are seeking nominations for one elected position…
TEAM PHOTO: Belgrade 5th & 6th grade soccer team
BELGRADE – Team photos of Belgrade’s 5th & 6th grade soccer team…
Rotary members in Waterville are marking progress toward a polio-free world
WATERVILLE – Rotary members in Waterville are marking progress toward a polio-free world while helping to end the paralyzing disease. The Purple Pinkie Project is among many events to be held by Rotary clubs around the world in honor of World Polio Day, October 24…
Bishop Ruggieri celebrates Mass with St. Michael School
AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, October 8, Bishop James Ruggieri, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, visited St. Michael School, in Augusta. He celebrated Mass with the school community at St. Mary’s Church, then spent time visiting classrooms and speaking with students and teachers. Pictured are students and teachers lining up to receive Holy Communion or a blessing from Fr. Nathan March, pastor of St. Michael Parish left, and Bishop Ruggieri…
Danica Serdjenian graduates from the University of Rhode Island
WATERVILLE – Danica Serdjenian, of Waterville, is among the University of Rhode Island’s newest alumni during the university’s 2025 commencement, in Kingston, Rhode Island. Serdjenian received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies Summa Cum Laude.
SNHU announces Summer 2025 dean’s list
CENTRAL ME – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2025 dean’s list. The summer terms run from May to August. Rebecca Cherish, of Vassalboro; Kimberly White, of Skowhegan; Zachary Eggen, of Liberty; Stormy Wentworth, of Fairfield; Jessica Sweeney, of Canaan; Jared Wheeler, of Augusta; and Ivette Hernandez Cortez, of Augusta.
Tanley Tibbetts named to dean’s list at University of Maryland Global Campus
CENTRAL ME – Tanley Tibbetts, of Chelsea, was named to the dean’s list for the summer 2025 term at University of Maryland Global Campus, in Adelphia, Maryland.
Local happenings
EVENTS: 31st annual SVH Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Saturday, October 18
PITTSFIELD — Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital’s 31st annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk will be happening Saturday, October 18…
EVENTS: Erosion Control workshop slated for November
ROCKPORT — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine DEP are co-sponsoring an in-person day-long training in Basic & Advanced Erosion Control Practices Certification for contractors on Thursday, November 6, at the Wiscasset Community Center, located on 242 Gardiner Road. The training will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and includes a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments…
EVENTS: Festival of Trees plans underway
WATERVILLE — Alfond Youth & Community Center and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce combine efforts to present Festival of Trees this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition. Participation in this year’s event continues a fabulous holiday tradition. At the same time, money raised supports families in the community experiencing food insecurity through the services of Alfond Youth & Community Center and funds workforce development services and assistance through the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, meeting a need existing throughout our region…
EVENTS: KV Chordsmen prepare for annual show
KENNEBEC VALLEY — The Kennebec Valley Chordsmen who have been singing in harmony for the past 52 years, are proud to present their 2025 Annual Show featuring Maine based talents such as: The Maine Idea which is a mixed quartet of male and female voices including local music educators and long time performers of barbershop harmony, The Messalonskee High School Master Singers, a one time only performance by the quartet Flash In The Pan, and the Kennebec Valley Chordsmen…
EVENTS: October public supper and Fall Fest in Vassalboro at VUMC
VASSALBORO — On October 18, a “Harvest Supper” will be held at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) fellowship hall, at 614 Main Street/Route 32. Roast chicken and all the fixings will be on the menu as well as their customary baked beans and a variety of pies…
EVENTS: Ticonic Bridge closure
WINSLOW — Beginning Monday, September 29, at midnight, through November 1, at 6 a.m., the project will be closing the Ticonic Bridge to all traffic for construction activities requiring access to the entire bridge. During this time, pedestrians will not be allowed to transit the bridge. Both pedestrians and vehicles will be required to follow the posted detour routes…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: October Fun Fair planned
SKOWHEGAN – Come enjoy the 12th annual Great October Fun Fair, Saturday, October 25, from noon to 3 p.m., at New Horizons Community Church, 31 E. Madison Rd., Skowhegan… and many other local events!
Obituaries
WATERVILLE — Eugene Roger Hallee, 93, passed away on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Maine General Medical Center, in Augusta. He was born on December 16, 1931, in Waterville, the son of Albert and Leonie (Audet) Hallee…
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: “I’m king of the world!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is November 6, 2025.
The first Methodist foreign missionary was a son of Central Maine (new)
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — In October, 1793 the Methodist itinerant minister, Jesse Lee from Virginia first preached in Hallowell and a Methodist Society was formed. Capt. Charles Cox and his wife Martha, of Hallowell, were the first two converts to Methodism in that town. In 1799 Martha gave birth to twins, Melville and Gershom and when a revival was held there in 1800 the couple had their sons baptized. Both of the boys grew up to become Methodist ministers… by Dale Potter-Clark
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Albion Revolutionary veterans (new)
ALBION HISTORY — Other towns included in this series that are in the Kennebec Valley, but lack direct access to the Kennebec River, are Albion, China, Palermo and Windsor. These towns’ earliest known settlers came later than the first settlers along the Kennebec… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Clinton residents
CLINTON HISTORY — Samuel Varnum (born Feb. 17, 1747 [Fisher] or 1746 [WikiTree, whose writer adds a Jr. after his name]) in Dracut, Massachusetts, did not move to Clinton until after his Revolutionary service, Fisher wrote. He enlisted for a year in the spring of 1776, and later in 1776 for three years… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Clinton
CLINTON HISTORY — Major General Carleton Edward Fisher’s 1970 history of Clinton includes a chapter on settlers who moved into the territory that became the town before 1782. He identified 10 of the men he named as Revolutionary veterans: Ezekiel Brown, Jr.; Nathaniel Burrell; Ezekiel Chase, Sr., and three of his six sons, Roger, Ezekiel, Jr. and Jonathan; Fred Jackins; John Spearin, Jr.; Samuel Varnum; and Solomon Whidden or Whitten… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 16, 2025
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: Nancy Marston, So. China
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | During one of the final weekends of camp, my wife and I, one day, were sitting on the deck, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and watched nature as we made our plans for closing up camp for the summer. It was a warm, sunny day with a slight breeze coming out of the northwest. During that time I was able to watch this one particular chipmunk, which I would have to describe as resilient and determined. Right in front of our storage sheds, he had dug one of his many entry holes…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | Well, here we are in the middle of a government shutdown because the Democrats and Republicans can’t play fair. If you want to see the why of it all you will have to check out your favorite news media but also check out the one you really don’t care for so you can get a fair picture of the two sides, if that’s even possible. Then you will have to extrapolate the truth of it all. I am certain you will find it if you are unbiased and seek the truth. I personally only care for the ramifications this sort of thing brings about that affects the elderly and in particular the veterans of which many elderly are…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | At the end of the gardening season, we are looking back to the beginning. All the way back to January with seeds we saved in 2024, the arrival of seed catalogs, and our hopes, resolutions, and plans for the new season…
QUINN MINUTE
by Rix Quinn | Every day in my high school, homeroom smelled different. Not better, but different. At that moment, we teens were bound together by one goal. We wanted to smell better, and we wanted to smell stronger. This required experimentation…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | In any small-town service business, customer service can make all the difference. It’s what keeps your neighbors coming back, what makes them recommend you to others, and what builds a sense of community loyalty that larger competitors can’t match. Here are ten ways to make sure your small-town service business delivers the best customer service in town…
THE BEST VIEW
by Norma Best Boucher | I locked up my car and walked to the sidewalk leading to the thrift shop. When I looked up, the child’s eyes met mine. We both smiled. “What a beautiful baby,” I told the young mother…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | I recently watched the 1942 film Big Street starring Henry Fonda (1905-1982) and Lucille Ball (1911-1989), both in dramatic roles. Fonda’s Pinks, a very shy waiter in a Broadway night club, is infatuated by Lucy’s torch singer Gloria who has a regular evening gig and who happens to be the girlfriend of the club’s dangerously possessive gangster owner, as persuasively portrayed by Barton Maclane (During the ‘60s, Maclane was a regular on I Dream of Jeannie)…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Healthy aging isn’t just about luck and genetics; it’s about empowering yourself to live your best life as you get older. By focusing on healthy habits, strong support networks and proactive care, you can significantly improve your quality of life, allowing you to age on your own terms…