Issue for December 11, 2025
Publishing deadline
The Town Line will not publish an issue on Thursday, December 25, 2025. The December 18 issue will be the last one for 2025. The next publishing date will be January 1, 2026. Any events occurring during the week of December 22, should be in our office by Monday, December 15, 2025, for the December 18 publication.
A capitol opportunity to learn about state government
Welcoming smiles, outstretched hands, and an encouraging atmosphere greeted us as we entered the Maine State House. Representative Katrina Smith and Senator Dick Bradstreet seemed excited and eager to talk with us, and were prepared to teach us wisdom and practical knowledge. The beautiful building, the information about our state government, and the advice regarding our future really made this trip an unforgettable experience… by Martin Estes, Emma Sherrell, Daniel Tuminaro, and Noah Tuminaro
Town News
Committee reviews transfer station operations
CHINA – China Transfer Station Committee members used their final 2025 meeting, held on Dec. 9, to review transfer station operations, facilities and plans, and to schedule a discussion of Pay-as-You-Throw (PAYT), also called pay-per-bag or pay-per-throw (PPB or PPT), at their first 2026 meeting…
EVENTS: Sanitary District meeting rescheduled
VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro Sanitary District board of trustees meeting that had been scheduled for Dec. 15 is rescheduled for 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, in the town office meeting room.
The Remembrance Tree
CENTRAL ME – Help us decorate the tree and at the same time remember loved ones. For only $10 a ball, you can commemorate loved ones who have passed. Mail your donation and the names of your remembered loved ones to: The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358, to place an ornament on the tree. Deadline is Friday, December 12. The completed tree will be published in the December 18 issue. All donations to The Town Line are tax deductible.
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: “A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is January 7, 2026.
Thanksgiving dinner at South China Community Church tops last year
So.CHINA – The South China Community Church (SCCC) served about 65 people at its second Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 27. While SCCC is known for its monthly Blessed Breakfasts and various dinner and soup fundraisers throughout the year, this holiday meal is proving to be just as successful in bringing people together…
Valerie Lefebvre joins Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
CENTRAL ME – Valerie Lefebvre has joined Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as AVP, Branch Relationship Manager for the bank’s location in Waterville. In this role, she leads a team of banking professionals to provide solutions and guidance to help individuals, families, and businesses in Waterville and the surrounding towns meet their financial goals…
Local happenings
EVENTS: ShineOnCass Blue Christmas invites community to remembrance ceremony on Winter Solstice
OAKLAND — The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 5th Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends and those who support them on Sunday, December 21, at sunset, starting at 4 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year…
EVENTS: Free SeaStrings Concert: An afternoon of enchanting string music celebrating community and volunteerism
VASSALBORO — An afternoon of live music with the SeaStrings, a local group of friends and neighbors from mid-coast Maine, will be performed on Sunday, December 14, at 2 p.m., at the St. Bridget Center in Vassalboro…
EVENTS: Family Festival of Trees coming soon; Santa will be in the house
WATERVILLE — Alfond Youth & Community Center and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, through the Central Maine Community Betterment Collaborative are bringing Festival of Trees this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition…
EVENTS: Making music during the month of December
So.CHINA — Do you like to sing? Especially the memorable and special songs of the holidays? South China Community Church invites you to join them during the month of December! They’re providing several opportunities for singing and enjoying carols and music selections of the upcoming holiday season. You don’t have to be a church member or attendee – we just want to share the special music of Christmas with the community…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Magical holiday event at ACB Library
CHINA – There will be a Sensory Santa Magical Holiday event at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China Village, on Saturday, December 13, at 4 p.m. Join for a calm, sensory-friendly Santa event with hands-on crafts, ornament decorating, soothing sensory play in a quiet, inviting atmosphere…. and many other local events!
Obituaries
PALERMO – Diane Theresa Paul (Couture), 75, of Palermo, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Diane was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1950, daughter of Leonard and Jean Crawford Couture…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China town reports – 1861 – 1906 (Part 1) (new)
CHINA HISTORY — A China resident bought a bundle of old China town reports, which have fallen into your writer’s hands for her – and your – information and entertainment. Thank you, John Glowa! The earliest of the 21 reports (plus two duplicates) is for the municipal year 1860-1861, which ran from mid-March 1860, to mid-March 1861… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Last three Ballard children
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Last week’s article ended without finishing the story of Martha and Ephraim Ballard’s second son, Jonathan. When interrupted, he was living on his farm in the northern part of Augusta, on the road to Sidney, with his wife, Sarah “Sally” (Pierce), and an increasing number of children… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Martha’s children
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — This article continuing the Ballard family history will summarize information about three of Martha and Ephraim’s six children who lived to adulthood – space limits postpone the other three, and the end of Jonathan’s story, to next week. As related previously, three Ballard children died young, in a 1769 diphtheria epidemic in Oxford, Massachusetts… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Women – Part 3
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s A Midwife’s Tale focused on women’s lives in the Kennebec Valley around 1800, using midwife Martha Ballard’s diary (from 1785 to 1812) as a main source of information. A consistent emphasis was women banding together to help each other, within families and within the community… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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: Anne Budris, Winslow
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | As we enter into the Christmas season, I notice a lot of Christmas cards and greetings with the picture of a dove as a symbol of peace on earth and goodwill to men. Where did that all start? Why is the dove a symbol of peace?…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | If you’re thinking about a gift for a gardener, there are so many possibilities. The cost could be quite manageable – after all, gardeners like to watch things grow rather than just accumulate stuff – or run into an astonishing amount of money. The best gifts might cost nothing but some of your precious time and a little labor…
QUINN MINUTE
by Rix Quinn | A friend asked me if it was OK to delay sending holiday cards until late December. I asked two questions: (1) Will you send me a card? (2) Does it contain a gift certificate?…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Some Christmas music recommendations…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | Finally, the U.S. shutdown has ended after 42 days. This caused the federal employees to go without pay for weeks, suspended food to many low income Americans and delayed or cancelled thousands of flights for airline passengers. My wife and I were lucky the route we took to S.E. Asia went to Korea and was without delay. We were very thankful as our journey is a long one without this problem…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | What seemed like an ordinary morning for four-year-old Kelly Bernard Igwe became life-altering. She woke up with her left arm completely numb, as if she had slept on it wrong. But this was not the temporary tingling that comes from an awkward sleeping position…