Issue for October 2, 2025
The final chapter: celebration of life for Don & Carleen Cote
On September 20, a Celebration of Life for Don and Carleen Cote was held at the VFW, in Augusta. As I was driving by the former Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on my way to this special event, a beautiful male Bald Eagle flew just above my car. A fitting symbol of freedom, strength, and courage, with resilience to endure difficulties… by Jayne Winters
Town News
Planners OK change of use for M.A. Haskell property
CHINA – China Planning Board members held a short Sept. 23 meeting, during which they approved the only application on their agenda and changed their plans for recommending revisions to town ordinances…
Resident objects to newly-assigned road name
VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, in the town office meeting room, to hear a request to change a road name…
Transformational new laws to protect residents of mobile home communities take effect
CENTRAL ME – Last week, four new laws sponsored by Senate Democrats to preserve some of the strongest remaining affordable housing options in Maine took effect…
LETTERS: Supports two RSU #18 candidates
from John Soifer (China) – Early voting begins Monday, October 6. There is an important election coming up for RSU #18 community. There are two open seats for the school board. It is important to have school board members who are capable of reflecting on what’s best for the students and making progress while maintaining the strengths of the district…
PHOTOS: Waterville High School homecoming
WATERVILLE – Photos of Waterville High School’s homecoming parade by Corianna Doucette of Central Maine Photography…
PHOTOS: Fairfield’s PAL Night
FAIRFIELD – Photos of Fairfield’s PAL Night by Ramey Stevens of Central Maine Photography…
SNHU announces summer 2025 president’s list
CENTRAL ME — Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2025 President’s List. The summer terms run from May to August…
Local student makes a difference
AUGUSTA — Ashlynn Niemi, of Augusta, joined with more than 360 first-year students at Emmanuel College, in Boston, Massachusetts, to make an immediate impact in the community through the New Student Day of Service…
Students named to Western New England University’s spring dean’s list
CENTRAL ME — Western New England University (WNE), in Springfield, Massachusetts, recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of students who have been named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2025 semester. Among them are Gemma Kennedy, of Skowhegan, and Andrew Mayo, of Sidney.
Local happenings
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: Lincoln Pumpkin fest set for October 11-12
LINCOLN COUNTY — In celebration of Pumpkinfest, Lincoln County Historical Association will present a special demonstration of the work of the colonial cooper on Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12, between noon and 4 p.m., at the Chapman-Hall Hous,e at 270 Main Street, in Damariscotta…
EVENTS: Break from reality
SKOWHEGAN — Who doesn’t need a break from reality now and again? Saturday, October 11, Lights Up Skowhegan presents Magic Wes Wonder’s Crazy Fun Family Show, at the Skowhegan Opera House, at 7 p.m. General Admission $10 – Kids 5 and under free. Tickets available online at www.lightsupskowhegan.org or at the door. Bring the whole family to make some magical memories…
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: Group to hold quilt workshop
CHINA – The Wednesday Night Quilters are hosting a quilt workshop, on Saturday, October 18, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the China Baptist Church, on Causeway Road, in China. They will be learning the “Duckworth” technique to make a small table runner. No quilting experience is required but basic sewing skills are helpful. A $5 donation will benefit of the church. For more information contact Debbie at 207 509-9621… and many other local events!
Obituaries
CHINA – Cathy Whitaker, 67, passed away as the result of an automobile accident. Born on Halloween Day, October 31, 1957, Cathy delighted in her “good witch” spirit (favorite movie: “The Wizard of Oz”) and carried a little magic wherever she went…
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: “It’s alive! It’s alive!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is October 9, 2025.
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Clinton (new)
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
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Fairfield – Continued
FAIRFIELD HISTORY — This article will continue the story of Fairfield men who fought in the Revolutionary War, beginning – after a digression – with one important man mentioned last week, William Kendall… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Fairfield
FAIRFIELD HISTORY — In the 1770s, the next town north of Winslow on the west bank of the Kennebec River was Fairfield, organized as a plantation in 1774; and on the east bank, the part of Clinton that later became Benton. This article introduces some Revolutionary veterans with Fairfield connections; next week’s article will offer information on more veterans from Fairfield and from Clinton… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Arnold’s expedition
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Before continuing upriver, this subseries will summarize the one Revolutionary event that did have a direct impact on towns along the Kennebec River. That was the fall 1775 American expedition intended to take Québec City from the British (who had taken it from the French in September 1759)… 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 | There they were! Marching along the railing of my porch as my wife and I were enjoying the day’s end of sunshine on a Saturday afternoon. They formed a column like a trucking convoy, one behind the other, all heading in the same direction. Blackish-colored bugs with red stripes, about a half inch long. I had seen them before, but not this many…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | We still have warm days ahead making preparing our gardens and yards for winter easier. Doing a few chores over the next couple of weeks will make a big difference come spring…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | I have several questions that require answering as they have been asked more than once. Several veterans that I have been working with have received what they call unfavorable results, which is not entirely true. Because you didn’t get a percentage first time out doesn’t mean you failed. An example would be “hearing loss” which came back at zero percent…
QUINN MINUTE
by Rix Quinn | If you grew up in the 1950s through 1970s, television westerns introduced you to a thankless career. Here’s the job description. You work for a cowboy who travels constantly and appears to have no source of income…
THE BEST VIEW
by Norma Best Boucher | The best teacher I ever had was not a teacher in the conventional sense. He wasn’t in a classroom with chalkboards and books. His domain was the Morning Sentinel editorial room with ringing phones, noisy teletypes, and two-fingered typists pounding out stories on antiquated manual typewriters…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Continuing with memories – when I applied at the personnel office of Jordan Marsh, I remember seeing three teenage boys sitting bare-chested, wearing cheap looking hats, giggling among themselves, smoking cigarettes one after another, the sign of “No smoking” apparently not applicable to those who can’t read…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Prediabetes and heart disease are two of the most common – and preventable – health threats in the U.S. More than 98 million adults have prediabetes, while heart disease remains the nation’s leading cause of death, claiming a life every 34 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…