Issue for October 28, 2021
A musical legacy passes to the next generation at So. China Community Church
The South China Community Church has chosen Ian Maxwell, a local South China resident and recent graduate of Eastern University, to be their new director of music. Maxwell will be replacing Chris Faris, who previously held the position for the last 29 years… by Eric W. Austin [624 words]
Your Local News
Four candidates for China select board present their views in interviews
CHINA — The four candidates vying for the two seats on the China select board were asked the following questions…
Vassalboro select board cancels October 28 meeting
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro select board members have canceled the meeting scheduled for Thursday evening, Oct. 28. Their next regular meeting would have fallen on Nov. 4, but that evening they plan to attend the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce awards banquet…
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Various broadband initiatives across Maine to provide improved access
CENTRAL ME — Communities through the Central Maine and Coastal regions are creating initiatives to improve their internet services to existing users and provide connection to underserved areas… by Jeanne Marquis
China Broadband Committee (CBC) reviews report to refine costs
CHINA — At their Oct. 21 meeting, China Broadband Committee (CBC) members reviewed a report from Hawkeye Connections, the company whose employees surveyed existing power poles and related infrastructure to refine the cost of improving and expanding internet service in China…
LETTERS: “Hell, Yes,” on China’s Question #1
from Bob OConnor (China) — The big picture is how this system will benefit the Community. It creates competition where we currently have an unregulated monopoly provider that can set any price it wants…
LETTERS: Turn the wheel for ourselves
from Brad Sherwood (China) — The market economy is one of mankind’s greatest achievements but it works best for society when there is competition. Starting in the 1980s the application of anti-trust laws switched from “anti-competition” to “anti-price fixing”…Vote Yes for our own Fiber Optics internet…
MY POINT OF VIEW: The evolution of Halloween
by Gary Kennedy — Halloween will occur on October 31, 2021. This holiday occurs the day before the Christian holy days of All Hallows’ Day. In some countries this is known as All Saints Day or Hallowmas which occur on November 1 and 2, respectively…
PHOTO: LakeSmart presentation by Mary Wicklund, Maine’s LakeSmart Program Manager
CHINA — Mary Wicklund, Maine’s LakeSmart Program Manager, presented information on the state’s LakeSmart Program to about two dozen people in the region via a “hybrid” in-person & Zoom meeting held October 20…
PHOTO: Irene Belanger honored for 22 years of service
CHINA — Irene Belanger recently retired from the select board after 22 years of service…
LOCAL EVENTS
Children’s book author to hold book signing at Retail Therapy in Waterville
WATERVILLE — Local children’s book author Jeanine Deas will be signing copies of her new book, We’re All in the Kitchen, at an appearance, at Retail Therapy Consignment Boutique, in Waterville, on Saturday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m….
Time to order citrus fruit
PALERMO — Once again, it is time to order your sweet, sparkling citrus fruit in time for Christmas or Thanksgiving. This sale benefits the Palermo Community Center, which, in turn, provides a venue, freezer space, and utilities for the Palermo Food Pantry Shipping costs only $6.95 per box, and can be delivered anywhere in the continental U.S….
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Windsor & Winslow schools (new)
WINDSOR/WINSLOW HISTORY — Windsor residents are fortunate to have a well-researched town history by Linwood H. Lowden, published in 1993, that includes an equally well-researched chapter on schools by C. Arlene Barton Gilbert… by Mary Grow [1817 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville Liberal Institute
WATERVILLE HISTORY — In Waterville, in addition to the private and public schools already described, there was Waterville Liberal Institute. An on-line list of Universalists’ “higher institutions of learning” says Waterville Liberal Institute opened in 1835… by Mary Grow [1508 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: More high schools (Vassalboro)
VASSALBORO HISTORY — In Vassalboro, which until 1792 included Sidney on the west side of the Kennebec River, voters first discussed schools in 1771, the year the town was incorporated. According to Alma Pierce Robbins’ Vassalboro history, voters at a September town meeting approved “Thirty Pounds Lawful money” to support a minister – and refused to appropriate anything to support a schoolmaster… by Mary Grow [1944 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Even more high schools
ALBION, BENTON & CLINTON HISTORY — Continuing the discussion of (mostly) 19th-century high school education, this article will talk about Albion, Benton, and Clinton. In following weeks, continuing alphabetically, readers will find information on Fairfield, Palermo, Sidney (don’t expect much), Vassalboro, Windsor and Winslow… by Mary Grow [2215 words]
2021-’22 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
2021-2022 Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, FAIRFIELD, PALERMO, SIDNEY, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE, WINDSOR and WINSLOW…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Take out turkey pie supper at United Methodist Church
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield United Methodist Church is having a Take Out Turkey Pie Supper on Saturday, November 6, from 4 p.m. until gone. Turkey pie with all of the fixings. Tickets are only $10 and only 100 tickets will be sold…and many other events!
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
Obituaries
SOUTH CHINA – Gerard “Jerry/Gerry” P. Fortin, 86, passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at home. He was born October 26, 1934, in Augusta, to Raynold and Annette (Demers) Fortin… and remembering 11 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, November 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: Greg Wood, Rome
Town Line Original Columnists
MAINE MEMORIES
by Evangeline T. | From ages 10 to 17, I grew up with foster kids. Since I was an only child, this presented quite a challenge. And an adjustment…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | When I wrote one of the columns, I think the following news didn’t get in about a couple of items from the Solon Elementary School. Bus questions or concerns?…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | A 1965 novel The Klansman, by William Bradford Huie (1910-1986), depicted the exacerbated racial tensions in a Deep South town in Alabama during the Civil Rights Movement…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | After a year and a half of remote learning and social distancing, kids are back to socializing after school and between classes. A return to school also means kids are once again exposed to the dangers of vaping and flavored tobacco products, which could worsen with a return to in-person learning…