Best of The Town Line in 2017

We’ve published a lot of stories over the past year, but which ones stood out from the crowd? More than 20,000 people visited townline.org in 2017, with pages on the site viewed more than 70,000 times. In this article (and the page below), we’d like to highlight those stories from The Town Line that attracted the most interest over the past year […]

China baseball player working to crack lineup at Newbury College

Our most popular story of 2017! Roland Hallee looks back at the scholastic baseball career of China resident, Dylan Presby, and interviews the new college freshman to see how he’s handling competition at the collegiate level. Erskine Coach Lars Jonassen said of Presby, “He was an unsung hero, and didn’t care that he never got any recognition.”

Where are all the birds?

Birds are all the talk lately. National Geographic has named 2018 the ‘Year of the Bird.’ But in 2017, Roland Hallee was already looking into the issue with a number of insightful articles. You can find them all below!

Where have all the birds gone?
Update on birds
With a song bird shortage, there are plenty of crows
Bird disappearance is phenomenon that exists nationwide
News flash – the birds are back in town

Alewives in our lakes and streams

Alewives are a controversial issue recently. The Town Line has published a number of articles looking at different aspects of the issue. Many were submitted by members of the community. Here they are, all gathered in one place.

Sheepscot Lake residents concerned over reintroduction of lampreys
Sheepscot Dam: State need not take action until studies complete
Palermo residents demand better consideration on dam issue
Vassalboro: Residents hear update on ARI from speakers
KWD explains position on Alewives Restoration Initiative
Historic presence of alewives in China Lake’s Outlet Stream reconfirmed
Contact legislators with your opposition to the opening of Sheepscot dam to alewives and lampreys
Sheepscot Pond will benefit from alewives

China Police Log

See what your neighbors are up to! (Big thanks to Detective Sergeant Tracey Frost for providing us with the China Police Log.)

November/December 2017
October 2017
September 2017
June 2017
May 2017

Opiates in Central Maine: Not just a national issue

The first in a series about the opioid problem in Central Maine. TECH TALK columnist Eric Austin interviews the head of MaineGeneral’s Substance Abuse Clinic, as well as local law enforcement, in an effort to understand the problem and it’s impact on our local communities.

Save the Mill fundraiser reaches preliminary goal

The Olde Mill Place in Vassalboro experienced extensive damage in the wind-storm last fall. We report on the fundraising efforts. There are several upcoming fundraising events so be sure to check it out!

Top China News from 2017

China has two soccer champs
Eight vie for three seats on China board of selectmen
Robert Dowe honored for many years of service to China area
Full Fork Farm, a project on the land in China
How three small towns in the U.S. ended up with the name China

Top Vassalboro News from 2017

Vassalboro group announces scholarship recipients
Vassalboro educator takes part in space camp
VHS to display prehistoric fishing roots in Vassalboro
Bad idea becomes good idea to school board members
Vassalboro Board members discuss dissolution of AOS #92

Town Line Original Columnists in 2017

SCORES & OUTDOORS | by Roland D. Hallee

Long one of our most popular columns, editor Roland Hallee writes about Maine’s critters and creatures and things that go bump in the night!

Proliferation of stink bugs
Doves as a symbol of peace: what is the history?
A whale of a project for a Unity College senior
Eulogy for a little friend
Brook trout fishing is on the horizon

ERIC’S TECH TALK | by Eric W. Austin

Local writer and technical consultant, Eric Austin tackles tough, technical topics for the average technophobe.

Life & Death of the Microchip
Are you human or robot? The surprising history of CAPTCHAs
Net Neutrality goes nuclear
Does the future spell the end of local news?
Bug hunting in the late 20th century

GARDEN WORKS | by Emily Cates

Owner of Harvest Moon Farm in China and professional greenthumb, Emily Cates writes about all the different ways to make better use of the natural world around us!

Wrap your trees in tin foil – The Sure-fire way to protect your trees in wintertime… And puzzle your neighborhood!
10 plants you should be growing in your garden, Part 1
Kombucha: Hooch or healer?
Making the best of a thaw + great tips for the die-hard greenthumb in winter
Could this be an answer to a free, locally-available source of nutrients for your garden?