Week of January 14, 2021
Retired Vassalboro fire chief recognized for 30 years of service
In the spring of 2020, Chief Eric Rowe, who was fire chief for 30 years, decided to retire. Eric first joined the Vassalboro Fire Department April 8, 1980, and was promoted to fire chief on February 13, 1990. Eric has always been a true role model, leader, mentor, friend and much more throughout the past 30 years as chief…
China Lake’s east basin iced over later than usual this winter
Many years, China Lake is frozen by mid-December. Former China Middle School teacher SueAnn Charles says she and her husband Harold, who live on the east shore, frequently went ice-skating during the after-Christmas school vacation…
Your Local News
Selectmen act on preliminary review of revised marijuana ordinance
VASSALBORO — At a well-attended virtual meeting Jan. 7, Vassalboro selectmen did a preliminary review of a thoroughly revised town marijuana ordinance; followed up with the second of two major road projects; and discussed issues raised by Conservation Committee members…
Planners hear intro to another solar development
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Planning Board members heard an introduction to another proposed solar development, by entities who have not previously worked in the town, at the Jan. 5 planning board meeting…
Town manager presents budget to selectmen
CHINA — Town Manager Becky Hapgood presented selectmen with the first budget she has prepared since assuming her new position in July 2020, at a special joint meeting with the Budget Committee on Jan. 11…
Earned paid leave law goes into effect in Maine
by Charlotte Henderson — Maine’s new law, the Earned Paid Leave Law (MEPL), allows certain Maine workers to build up paid leave time. In businesses that employ more than 10 people, wage earners can now (effective New Year’s Day, 2021) accrue one hour of paid time off for every 40 hours worked, up to five paid days a year…
VBA ice fishing derby set for Feb. 7
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Business Association’s annual ice fishing derby and raffle will be held at the Olde Mill, at 934 Main St., on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in all Maine legal waters…
Disc golf fundraising tourney set for Feb. 27
SIDNEY — Get your family and friends involved in some winter fun, that will help raise money for an important cause. A disc golf fundraising tournament will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021, to benefit Chiari Malformation…
Fairfield’s facade improvement program strengthens local economic resilience
FAIRFIELD — Fairfield’s Façade Improvement & Marketing Assistance Program (FIMAP), which launched in 2018, has continued to stimulate investment and enhance the visual aesthetics of the town’s districts and corridors…
Madison legion donates boots and coats
MADISON — The American Legion Tardiff-Belanger Post #39, in Madison, recently donated boots and coats for 38 students in need in school districts RSU #74 and MSAD #59 from the generous donations from local businesses and members…
Parishioners shatter American Red Cross records despite pandemic
WHITEFIELD — When searching for reasons to smile during the pandemic, a common source of comfort has been the sacrifices made by many Mainers as they have looked past their own needs in hopes that those in greater danger might be helped…
Maine Crisp Company expands to new production facility in Winslow
WINSLOW — Specialty food manufacturer Maine Crisp Company has expanded its production capacity tenfold by relocating to a Winslow facility. Expected to be fully operational by May 2021, the facility’s extensive capacity is necessary to fulfill demand generated by Maine Crisp’s recent New England-wide distribution deal with Whole Foods Market…
STUDENT WRITERS: Negative Effects of Toxic Masculinity
ERSKINE ACADEMY — Toxic masculinity is a negative, oppressive phenomenon that not only affects men but also everyone around them. Toxic masculinity is negative because it can lead to aggression, repressed emotions, and psychological trauma… by Autumn Boody (Washington)
STUDENT WRITERS: Negative Effects of Toxic Masculinity
ERSKINE ACADEMY — The negative effects of various media like television and movies on women and young girls have rightfully been shown time and again. The negative effects on men from these same forms of media is a much lesser known, but no less real, phenomenon… by Adam Oches (Vassalboro)
Erskine Academy first trimester honor roll
CHINA — List of honor roll students at Erskine Academy in South China, Maine, for the first trimester…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings – Part 2 (New)
AUGUSTA HISTORY — As mentioned in the first article on historic places in Augusta, four are on the National Park Service’s Register of National Historic Landmarks (as is Fort Halifax, in Winslow). The Augusta sites, listed in historical order, are the Cushnoc Archaeological Site, Fort Western, the Kennebec Arsenal and the Blaine House… by Mary Grow [1811 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings – Part 1
AUGUSTA HISTORY — The City of Augusta has 44 listings on the National Register of Historic Places, but some overlap. Nonetheless, the capital city has a substantial share of the 136 historic places in Kennebec County… by Mary Grow [1355 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Maine Supreme Court Chief Justices from Kennebec Valley – Part 2
MAINE HISTORY — After the three Maine Supreme Court Justices whose biographies were summarized last week the next Chief Justice listed as an Augusta resident was the 15th, William Robinson Pattangall (1865-1942)… by Mary Grow [1800 words]
Maine Supreme Court Chief Justices from Kennebec Valley – Part 1
MAINE HISTORY — Of the 26 chief justices of the Maine Supreme Court, Augusta has provided six – perhaps not surprising for the state capital. Portland is second, with five chief justices including Leigh Saufly, who was appointed Dec. 6, 2001, and retired April 14, 2020… by Mary Grow [1616 words]
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Lori Ann Roy, 54, of Vassalboro, passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, in the comfort of her home. Lori was born December 10, 1966, in Augusta… and remembering 11 others.
2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE and WINDSOR…
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, February 5, 2021
Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy Boutique in Waterville! 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: Ardra Poulin, Winslow.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | My wife and I spent last weekend at the Harbor Ridge Resort, in Southwest Harbor. It was a quiet weekend, especially enjoying the view of the harbor below our unit. Saturday afternoon, while we were both comfortably sitting in the living room, reading our favorite authors, my wife noticed something moving on the slope…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Portland native Isaac McLellan (1806-1899), whom I have written about previously, celebrated our Pine Tree beauty, with wondrously enunciated place names in a minor masterpiece, The Shores of Maine; amidst the frigid long nights of January, one can hope that spring-pleasant temperatures arrive quickly and on time March 21…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | What I have been doing is buying my “FIRST for women” magazine, every time I see them displayed. Each month two pages are for uses other than originally intended. So… Let’s see what I can find…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | I was very pleased to receive the following e-mail: Solon Pine Tree met on Saturday, January 9, at the Solon Fire Station. In attendance were Cooper and Kaitlin Delarma, Lindsay and Charlotte Hamilton, Jilliam Robinson, and Sarah Craig…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | Being aware of food portion size, the kinds of foods and beverages you consume, and how often you have them may be a step to help you make healthier food choices…