Issue for April 17, 2025
Fairfield launches planning initiative
The Town of Fairfield’s Economic and Community Development Committee (FECDC), in collaboration with the Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), has launched a planning initiative focused on the redevelopment and revitalization of Fairfield’s downtown area. A key phase of the planning efforts include participation from Fairfield residents and business owners to collect public input, which will inform the downtown plan. Included in the public input strategy is a digital survey, and public workshop…
South China library open house
South China Public Library is the oldest continuous library in the state of Maine. It was first founded in a house in 1830 by fellow Quakers in the area. In the year 1900 it was then moved to a building on Village Street, in South China. In the year 1912, the South China Public Library Association was created. In the year 1980, the Children’s Room was added to the building. In 2012, the South China Public Library celebrated 100 years as a nonprofit organization…
Town News
No new ordinance changes proposed for June 10 town meeting
CHINA – China Planning Board members devoted their April 8 meeting to review of town ordinances, with references to the town comprehensive plan. They decided a joint meeting with China’s comprehensive plan implementation committee would be a useful next step; chairman Toni Wall will invite that committee’s members to the May 13 planning board meeting…
Transfer committee members present list of goals
CHINA – China’s Transfer Station Committee members put revisions to the 2021 vision statement for the facility in near-final form at their April 8 meeting…
Planners give approval to Novel Energy’s planned solar farm
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro Planning Board members approved Novel Energy’s planned community solar farm, at 2235 Riverside Drive, at their April 7 special meeting, despite last-minute surprises from neighbors…
Conservation commission looks at three different projects
VASSALBORO – At their April 9 meeting, Vassalboro Conservation Commission members continued planning work at two town parks; talked about the pending three-lake watershed survey; and rediscussed the contentious subject of cemetery trees…
School board initiates plans if school is needed for voting
VASSALBORO – Before they began discussing the proposed 2025-26 school budget at their April 8 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members dealt with monthly business items. Major topics were how to prepare in case November voting is at Vassalboro Community School, and how to provide financial aid to families of students attending the Maine School of Science and Mathematics…
Open letter to our readers
At The Town Line, we aren’t just reporting news—we’re telling the stories that shape our community. Written by locals, for locals, our paper reflects the heart and soul of central Maine. We exist because of you, our readers and local businesses, and we believe that when our community thrives, so does The Town Line…
Huard’s Martial Arts hosts the 43rd Battle of Maine
WATERVILLE — Huard’s Martial Arts hosted the 43rd Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships at Champions Fitness Club, in Waterville, on Saturday, March 22. Just over 350 competitors and close to 1,000 spectators attended this special martial arts event from all around Maine and New England…
Winslow J.H. and H.S. honor roll
WINSLOW — List of honor roll students for Winslow High School and Junior High School for the third quarter…
Eastern student Olivia Bourque inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa honor society
VASSALBORO — Olivia Bourque, of Vassalboro, a senior majoring in Health Sciences, was inducted into Eastern’s chapter of the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Leadership Honor Society on March 2, in Willimantic, Connecticut. The inductees were chosen based on their commitment to leadership within the campus and in their own communities.
Vassalboro Ministry Association emergency fuel fund holds monthly meetings
VASSALBORO — Through a collaborative effort among churches in town, the Vassalboro Ministry Association (VMA) has been helping with fuel assistance for Vassalboro residents since 2004. It all began when two members of the Friends Meeting House, in East Vassalboro, recognized that some people in town needed fuel assistance and thought something should be done to help…
Time to order Vidalia Onions!
PALERMO — Down in Vidalia, Georgia, the Vidalia onions are ripening. They are big, sweet, and juicy, and are just waiting for you to order a bag. A 25-pound bag of these beauties costs $30 and will arrive at the Palermo Community Center around Mothers Day. To order, please call Connie Bellet at 993-2294…
Webber’s Pond Comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local 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: “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is May 8, 2025.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Climate Lobby to hold film, silent auction
WATERVILLE — On Monday, April 21, Mid Maine Citizens Climate Lobby Local Chapter is hosting a free film and silent auction to benefit the chapter’s work for fair realistic effective climate action, at 5:30 p.m., at the Chace Forum, 150 Main St., in Waterville. The film, Common Ground, a 45-minute presentation, is an inspiring “film about how farmers are using alternative “regenerative” models of agriculture that balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy – before it’s too late” Snacks and beverages will be provided. Information about their climate work will also be available. A fun and inspiring event to celebrate Earth Day!
EVENTS: Spring in full bloom
VASSALBORO – Spring is in full bloom at the Grand Central Cafe, at 11 Railroad Square, in Waterville! An all flower art show featuring the art work of award-winning photographer Jen Hickey fills the cafe with vibrant colors and natural beauty. Over 30 pieces of art highlighting the grace and allurement of flowers, many native to Maine, adorn the walls…
EVENTS: Holy week schedule at SCCC
CHINA – As part of Holy Week, South China Community Church (SCCC) offers several special services: Palm Sunday (April 13, at 10 a.m.), Maundy Thursday (April 17, at 6 p.m.), Good Friday (April 18, at 6 p.m.), and of course, Easter (April 20, at 10 a.m.). This year, for the first time, Pastor Paul Harwath is providing a copy of the Shroud of Turin for viewing and contemplation…
EVENTS: ShineOnCass animal baby shower & PJ party
ALBION – Children dressed in their pajamas will welcome baby lambs, goats, calves and other newborn animals also wearing pajamas, on Sunday, May 4, at the ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center, in Albion…
Obituaries
CHINA – Carolyn J. Dow, 94, of China, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Lakewood Continuing Care, in Waterville. Born on February 1, 1931, in China, to the late Thomas and Marie (Bumps) James, she graduated in 1948 from Erskine Academy, in South China, and later Thomas College, in Waterville…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: School vacation week activities
CHINA – South China Public Library, on Jones Rd., will be open on Wednesday, April 23, 10:30 a.m. – noon, for arts and crafts, stories, and snacks for some vacation week fun. Children can choose some books to add to their own home library… and many other local events!
EVENTS: Local central Maine Town Meetings schedule for 2025
CENTRAL ME – List of area town meetings. To be included in this list, visit our Contact Us page or send an email to The Town Line at townline@townline.org…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Courts – Part 4 (new)
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — William Penn Whitehouse has been mentioned in each of the three articles about Maine courts so far in this subseries; it’s time he got a page of his own (after a digression). The first mention, March 27, identified Whitehouse as the author of the chapter on the history of Maine courts in Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Courts – Part 3
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Remembering that Maine’s early population centers were along the coast, and mostly from Portland south, it is not surprising that three of Maine’s first four state Supreme Court chief justices came from that area… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Lower courts & Augusta Courthouse
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Last week’s article summarized part of the origin of Maine’s court system, including the 1820 creation of the state Supreme Court. The next level below the Supreme Court, according to William Penn Whitehouse’s information in Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history, was the court of common pleas… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Courts
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — One of the chapters in Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history is about the courts. The next chapter is titled The Kennebec Bar and names members of the Kennebec Bar who practiced as lawyers and/or held judgeships or other legal positions… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 10, 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: Robin Marchesi, Vassalboro
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Recently, LiveSportsonTV.com sent along this statistic. It’s truly disturbing that Americans have gone to couch surfing as their national pastime…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | While the daffodils and crocuses are just poking their green noses out of the soil, forsythia begin to bloom. This shrub is a favorite just because the little neon yellow flowers cover the long stems as we are becoming even more tired of snow and mud…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Ralph Meeker (1920-1988) was labeled perhaps a bit misleadingly as a character actor; on film and television, he did portray men on both sides of the law but he didn’t have the characterizing artistry of a Rod Steiger or Sir Lawrence Olivier…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Throughout my career as a clinician, I have experienced firsthand the concerns and challenges that cognitive issues cause older adults. They fear they’ll lose their memory and their independence, and become a burden to their loved ones…