Issue for July 17, 2025
Olympic medalist visits Waterville swim club
The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) hosted USA Olympic breaststroke medalist Cody Miller for a world-class Swim Clinic and Meet on July 11 – 12, 2025. This special two-day event offered an extraordinary opportunity for competitive swimmers to train with and learn from one of America’s most accomplished and inspirational athletes… by Mark Huard
Town News
Select board handles two agenda items in short order
CHINA – China select board members whipped through two short agendas in less than 10 minutes at their July 14 meetings. Meeting first as the town’s board of assessors, they unanimously approved a tax abatement for $2.34…
One application approved by planners
CHINA – China Planning Board members approved the only application on their July 8 agenda, partly because several board members considered it already approved six years ago…
Transfer station committee presented with draft mission statement
CHINA – At the July 8 China Transfer Station Committee meeting, Palermo representative Bob Kurek shared a mission statement for Palermo’s new Solid Waste Committee – one he had Artificial Intelligence (AI) write…
PHOTO: Mysterious sighting
SKOWHEGAN — Lite Zhang, of Skowhegan, sent along this photo of a mysterious 996 cutting in the grass. There has been no explanation, yet. Or, it could be a hoax…
PHOTO: Siblings attend first concert
CLINTON — Cameron Robinson, 11, and Zoey Robinson, 6, of Clinton, both attended their first ever concert on Saturday, July 5, at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, in Bangor. They both said they liked Kidz Bop and were excited that it was their first concert…
Madison Legion collecting school supplies
MADISON — The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison is collecting school supplies for students in MSAD #59 and RSU #74…
Friends of Lake Winnecook offers matching grants for erosion control practices
UNITY — Friends of Lake Winnecook, in partnership with the Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District, has announced the availability of matching grants available to landowners within the direct watershed of Unity Pond (Lake Winnecook), Eligible properties are located within the towns of Burnham, Thorndike, Troy and Unity…
Ella Conway graduates from Emerson College
SKOWHEGAN — Emerson College, in Boston, Massachusetts, awarded undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2025 during its 145th Commencement, at Agganis Arena, in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Among them was Ella Conway, of Skowhegan, who received a BA in Media Arts Production.
Catherine Gibbs awarded degree from UA
WINSLOW — Catherine Gibbs, of Winslow, has received a master of arts degree from the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Local student earns president’s list at Norwich University
AUGUSTA — Riley Geyer, of Augusta, has been recognized on the president’s list at Norwich University, in Northfield, Vermont, for the Spring 2025 semester.
Denali Norris named to Lasell Univ. dean’s list
WINSLOW — Denali Norris, a Lasell University student, in Newton, Massachusetts, from Winslow, was named to the dean’s list for their academic performance in the Spring 2025 semester.
Local happenings
EVENTS: “Made in China” — A local art exhibition
CHINA — The China Historical Society is proud to present “Made in China,” a group art exhibition showcasing the work of artists who live in China, Maine – or whose work reflects the spirit, beauty, and stories of the town…
EVENTS: Spectacular laser show and concert to benefit Winslow Community Cupboard
CLINTON — Winslow Community Cupboard food pantry – which serves food-insecure children, seniors, and other adults from Winslow, Waterville, Skowhegan, Fairfield, and 20 other surrounding towns – will benefit from a spectacular Drive-in Laser Show and Concert coming to the Clinton Fairgrounds (1450 Bangor Road) from Thursday, July 31, through Saturday, August 2…
EVENTS: Bean supper at VUMC
WINSLOW — A traditional baked bean public supper will be held at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), at 614 Main Street/Rte. 32, on Saturday, July 19, 4:30 – 6 p.m. The supper is open to the public and the menu will include baked beans, hot dogs, casseroles and a variety of summer salads in addition to the traditional coleslaw, breads, beverages and pies. A donation of $10 per person is appreciated…
EVENTS: Benefit supper for accident victims
ALBION — The public is invited to support the family involved in the pedestrian accident on Hussey Hill Rd., in Albion, on Friday, July 11. Your meal includes spaghetti with your choice of homemade meat sauce or Alfredo, salad, garlic bread, beverages and dessert. Gluten free options will be available. Thank you in advance for giving this family some help and hope…
EVENTS: Tina’s Daylilies to host garden party for 11th annual MS fundraiser
JEFFERSON — Once again Tina’s Daylilies will be hosting their annual garden party fundraiser which is open to the public. This is the eleventh year Tina’s Daylilies has held this event. They will have door prizes, refreshments, live music and Tina says “we will have lots of blooms!”…
EVENTS: Art of Resistance July 26
WINSLOW — The Art of Resistance, Joy and Hope is meant to bring us together and remind us of what enlivens us and keeps us moving forward day after day. The event will be held on Saturday, July 26, 4 – 8 p.m., at the Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow St., Winslow…
EVENTS: Historical groups offer insights to local shipbuilding
DAMARISCOTTA — On Saturday, July 19, the Damariscotta Historical Society, the Chapman-Hall House, and the Newcastle Historical Society will share with visitors a look at the tremendous work of local shipbuilders at three different locations…
EVENTS: Make an immediate difference by giving blood or platelets now
CENTRAL ME — Upcoming blood donation opportunities June 18-July 30 in Kennebec County…
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: “Bond. James Bond.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is August 7, 2025.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual meeting
PALERMO – The Sheepscot Lake Association Annual General Meeting will be held Thursday, July 24, starting at 6:30 p.m., with a dessert potluck. In addition to addressing the lake association’s ongoing projects and activities, the board will host a guest speaker, Christopher Packard, author of Mythical Creatures of Maine: Fantastic Beasts from Legend and Folklore. The meeting will be held at the Palermo Consolidated School, on Rte. 3, in Palermo… and many other local events!
Obituaries
SKOWHEGAN – William F. Reid Jr., 86, died on Monday, May 12, 2025, from heart disease. He was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on September 29, 1938, to William and Marion Reid. An only child, Will grew up in the Old Town area of North Attleborough, Massachusetts…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Early surveyors – John McKechnie (new)
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Another Kennebec Valley surveyor who worked for the Kennebec/Plymouth Proprietors/Company was Dr. John McKechnie (1730 or 1732 – April 14, 1782). Ernest Marriner, in his Kennebec Yesterdays, called McKechnie “one of those men of varied talents who meant so much to many pioneer communities” – “an educated physician, a civil engineer, a land surveyor, and a shrewd business entrepreneur”… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Early surveyors
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — As promised, the next articles in this series will introduce some of the important surveyors in the central Kennebec Valley as Massachusetts proprietors sold lots – mostly pieces of land they had never seen – to settlers, and other people began lumbering, trapping and farming without the formality of buying a lot… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Early land titles
KV HISTORY — The lawyers discussed in this series earlier this spring were undoubtedly important in the lives of European settlers in the central Kennebec Valley. Before the lawyers, and equally if not more important, were another group of professional men: the surveyors… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville City Hall
WATERVILLE HISTORY — This article will return to the history of a series of buildings, more cheerful than the Augusta jail(s) described in the June 5 story: Waterville’s town hall that became a city hall that was – and still is – combined with a large gathering space called an opera house… by Mary Grow
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | A little while back someone inquired about fireflies and how they have been scarce as of late. Well, the other night, my wife and I were treated with a light show like we have not seen in a while. We were sitting enjoying the warm summer night when the area to our right became lighted up with dozens of them…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | It seems to this writer that the sharing of veteran information is a never ending circle. I have always loved being part of the Veteran Community. However, there are those who don’t see me as an asset to the hundreds, if not more veterans I have helped here and abroad…
AARP NEWS YOU CAN USE
by Joyce Bucciantini | Surrounded by the crisp ocean air and the deep green woods, it is easy to understand why Maine is called “Vacation Land.” From the early “rusticators” of the 1900s to modern tourists, people come to bask in Maine’s natural beauty each summer…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | Mid-summer cookouts will feature a wealth of garden produce: green salads with tomatoes, watermelon, and, of course, corn on the cob. Even the most confirmed meat eater looks forward to this special summer treat…
LIFE ON THE PLAINS
by Roland D. Hallee | Hello, folks. I’m baaaaack! By popular demand. Unfortunately, during our fast-paced lifetimes, we have seen the end of many eras. But the one that sticks out in my mind, which happened recently, was the disappearance of the drive-in theater. In recent years, the Winslow Drive-in, the Midway Drive-in, in Pittsfield, and more recently, the Skowhegan Drive-in, have all shuttered…
QUINN MINUTE
by Rix Quinn | Do you believe everyone should tell the truth? Well, I believe everyone else should…but occasionally I need to lie…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Americans are struggling with rising healthcare costs, driven in large part by unchecked hospital pricing practices. When large hospital systems abuse their pricing power, local employers, small businesses, working families, and communities feel the resulting impacts—through soaring premiums, shrinking wages, and cuts to services we all rely on. The result: higher healthcare costs, fewer options, and risks to patient care…