Entries by Mary Grow

Forum at China library hears local candidates

by Mary Grow Candidates’ opening statements, summarized, in the order given. Raegan LaRochelle, Augusta, Democratic candidate for state Senate District #15, is a Cony High School graduate with an MBA (Master of Business Administration) degree who works as an economic development consultant and owns a commercial cleaning business. She served on the Augusta City Council […]

Around the Kennebec Valley: Education in 18th & 19th centuries, Part III

by Mary Grow Hallowell & Supply Belcher The local responsibility for public education made it one of the first topics for voters in each newly-organized 18th and 19th century Maine town. Frequently, historians wrote, it was not easy for people in a low-cash economy to raise money to pay a teacher, provide instructional materials and […]

China select board approves concept plan for new vault

by Mary Grow China select board members approved a concept plan for the new storage vault they’ve discussed for three years, and will have an engineer’s plan prepared as soon as possible. Building committee chairman Sheldon Goodine presented the plan at the board’s Oct. 7 meeting, after he outlined it for the board on Sept. […]

Around the Kennebec Valley: Education in 18th & 19th centuries

by Mary Grow Part 2 Maine Law (Read Part 1 here.) Massachusetts residents who moved to Maine brought with them the Massachusetts enthusiasm for education, as noted last week. Alma Pierce Robbins, in her 1971 Vassalboro history, quoted from a report coming, ironically, from an October 1785 Portland convention called to discuss separating Maine from […]

Vassalboro trustees summarize library progress to select board

by Mary Grow Two Vassalboro Public Library trustees, board President Elizabeth McMahon and secretary Valerie Sugden, summarized library progress and plans for town select board members at the Sept. 19 select board meeting. They said recent changes include expanded hours – the library is open six days a week, all but Sundays – and conversion […]

China planners approve two agenda items

by Mary Grow At a short Sept. 24 meeting, China Planning Board members approved two agenda items, with almost no discussion. As promised, Ironwood Maine representative Wade Bedsaul brought a map showing locations of two new small buildings and a parking lot expansion (from four spaces to seven) at the South China residential facility for […]