China board of appeals grants site size variance for apartments

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by Mary Grow

The China Board of Appeals has granted Carrol White’s application for a variance from lot size requirements to allow him to seek planning board approval to convert the former Silver Lake Grange Hall in China Village to apartments.

The action still needs two more steps: under China’s Appeals Ordinance (Chapter 9 of the Land Development Code), the board must meet again within 14 days to approve the written decision. Once finally approved, the variance must be recorded at the Kennebec County Registry of Deeds within 90 days.

White presented an application for the conversion to the China Planning Board at its Jan. 23 meeting, and a more complete application at the Feb. 13 meeting. On Feb. 13, board members voted that White’s project meets all ordinance criteria except for lot size; the Main Street lot is too small for the planned four-unit apartment building.

White therefore applied for the variance from the lot size requirement. He explained that he had obtained variances in the 1990s, but for various reasons, none was properly recorded and accepted (see articles on p. 3 of the Feb. 1 and Feb. 22 issues of The Town Line).

White wants a current, valid variance so that, when the planning board grants a permit for the conversion, he can sell the property to Daniel Coleman.

Coleman, who lives farther south on Main Street, said he has experience as a landlord. He intends to create four two-bedroom apartments in the 4,600-square-foot building, two on the ground floor and two on the second floor.

He said he likes China Village, appreciates the need for housing in Maine and plans to seek tenants who will contribute to the area.

Ronald Morrell, who lives farther north on Main Street and owns the empty lot across from the Grange Hall, supported the project. He hopes Coleman will preserve the historic appearance of the building, which dates from 1908.

Linda Morrell asked about parking. White said it will be behind the building.

White and Coleman said they have not yet done final plans for either the interior or the septic system. An architect has sketched a four-apartment plan, and test pits have been dug out back where the septic system will go.

Board of Appeals members had to rule on four criteria for granting a variance. The first, and most discussed, was that the property “cannot yield a reasonable return” without a variance.

White said the former Grange Hall has been for sale for years and no one has even asked to inspect it, though it could legally be a single-family home or an appropriate business. Several people commented that people wanting a 4,600-square-foot house would probably want more spacious grounds.

Appeals board member Robert Fischer dissented on the vote on that criterion. It was approved 4-1-1, with newly re-elected board chairman Spencer Aitel abstaining, as he always does unless his vote is needed to break a tie.

The other criteria, approved by 5-0-1 votes, are:

— The need for the variance is due to the property’s “unique circumstances,” not to “the general conditions in the neighborhood”;
— Granting the variance will not “alter the essential character of the locality”; and
— The need for a variance is not “the result of action taken by the applicant or a prior owner.”

Aitel commented that the final criterion always gives him pause, because obviously many years ago a prior owner did something that did not meet 2024 regulations.

The Grange Hall fails to meet another contemporary requirement: it is seven feet from the north line of the property, instead of the required minimum 10 feet. Codes Officer Nicholas French said the building is “grandfathered” for this requirement, comparing it to buildings around China Lake closer to the water than would be allowed for a new building. Aitel added that such buildings can be modified as long as changes do not increase the non-conformity.

After Aitel was re-elected board chairman, member Michael Gee volunteered to be secretary and was promptly chosen.

Board members did not schedule their next meeting.

Erskine Academy second trimester honor roll (2024)

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(photo credit: Erskine Academy)

Grade 12

High Honors: Tristan Anderson, Leah Bonner, Heather Bourgoin, Elizabeth Brown, Nolan Burgess, Nathalia Carrasco, Elise Choate, Marshall Clifford, Caleigh Crocker, Brielle Crommett, Noah Crummett, Skyler Danforth, Isabella Day, Keira Deschamps, Hailey Estes, Kaylee Fyfe, Aaralyn Gagnon, Meilani Gatlin, Caleb Gay, Tucker Greenwald, Nathan Hall, Natalie Henderson, Anna Jarosz, Hannah Kugelmeyer, Henrique Leal Ribeiro, Landon Lefebvre, Aidan Maguire, Liberty Massie, Holden McKenney, Akela Mitchell, Lucas Mitchell, Austin Nicholas, Jeremy Parker, Nathan Polley, Jessica Pumphrey, Evelyn Rousseau, Max Sanborn, Jamecen Stokes, Reese Sullivan, and Baruch Wilson. Honors: Abigail Adams, Lacey Arp, Duncan Bailey, Isabella Boudreau, Kellsie Boynton, Robin Boynton, Wyatt Bray, Kaleb Brown, Carol Caouette-Labbe, Makayla Chabot, Timothy Christiansen, Simon Clark, Alexia Cole, Connor Coull, Thomas Crawford, Gavin Cunningham, Jesseca Eastup, Hunter Foard, Cole Fortin, Brayden Garland, Julius Giguere, Nathan Grenier, Sammi Jo Guptill, Tara Hanley, Jessica Hendsbee, Trinity Hyson, Stephanie Kumnick, Mackenzie Kutniewski, Logan Lanphier, Sophie Leclerc, Jack Lyons, Abigail Miller, Royce Nelson, Alejandro Ochoa, Alyssa Ouellette, Keith Radonis, Christine Smith, Giacomo Smith, Adam St. Onge, Kinsey Stevens, Gavin Turner, Ryan Tyler, Jack Uleau, Haley Webb, Elijah York, and Maddison Zepeda.

Grade 11

High Honors: Daphney Allen, Emmett Appel, Emily Bailey, Noah Bechard, Rylan Bennett, Octavia Berto, Jayda Bickford, Brooke Blais, Olivia Brann, Carter Brockway, Keenan Clark, Hannah Cohen-Mackin, Andra Cowing, Lauren Cowing, Gabrielle Daggett, Trinity DeGreenia, Aidan Durgin, John Edwards, Ryan Farnsworth, Keeley Gagnon, Hailey Garate, Ellie Giampetruzzi, Echo Hawk, Serena Hotham, Kailynn Houle, Alivia Jackson, Walker Jean, Ava Kelso, Sophia Knapp, Jack Lucier, Owen Lucier, Eleanor Maranda, Jade McCollett, Abigail McDonough, Shannon McDonough, Madison McNeff, Colin Oliphant, Makayla Oxley, Noah Pelletier, Carter Rau, Elsa Redmond, Lillian Rispoli, Laney Robitaille, Carlee Sanborn, Joslyn Sandoval, Aislynn Savage, Kyle Scott, Jordyn Smith, Zoey Smith, Larissa Steeves, Kaylee Tims, and Clara Waldrop. Honors: Haileigh Allen, Jeffrey Allen, Ava Anderson, Bryana Barrett, Brody Campbell, Paige Clark, Madison Cochran, Dylan Cooley, Aydan Desjardins, Brady Desmond, Lucas Farrington, Addison Gagne, Kaylene Glidden, Jonathan Gutierrez, Trent Haggett, Brandon Hanscom, Landen Hayden, Emma Henderson, Rion Kesel, Kaiden Kronillis, Bodi Laflamme, Chase Larrabee, Shelby Lincoln, D’andre Marable, Kaeleigh Morin, Gavyn Paradis, Ava Picard, Alyssa Pullen, Victoria Rancourt, Justin Reed, Nathan Robinson, Achiva Seigars, Emily Sprague, Parker Studholme, David Thompson III, Grace Vashon, and Adrianna Vernesoni.

Grade 10

High Honors: Connor Alcott, Emily Almeida, Kylie Bellows, Addyson Briggs, London Castle, Nathan Choate, William Choate, Drew Clark, Lillian Clark, Madeline Clement-Cargill, Sylvia Davis, Joshua Denis, Audryanna DeRaps, Charles DeSchamp, Lauren Dufour, Madison Gagnon, Madison Griffiths, Mia Hersom, Halle Jones, Kasen Kelley, Kayle Lappin, Jacob Lavallee, Ava Lemelin, Nathaniel Levesque, Jack Murray, Elijah Nelson, Jordyn Parise, Ruby Pearson, Elijah Pelkey, Isabelle Pelotte, Emily Piecewicz, Taisen Pilotte, Hannah Polley, Desirae Proctor, Michael Richardson, Owen Robichaud, Leahna Rocque, Jackie Sasse, Edward Schmidt, Kathryn Shaw, Madelynn Spencer, Kayla Stred, Gentry Stuart, Abigail Studholme, Donovan Thompson, Kammie Thompson, and Addison Witham. Honors: Savannah Baker, Gavin Bartlett, Brock Bowden, Kolby Caswell, Saunders Chase, Timothy Clavette, William Ellsey Jr., Jacob Faucher, Solomon Fortier, Stephen Gould, Brandon Haley, Aiden Hamlin, Willow Haschalk, Evan Heron, Easton Houghton, Aidan Huff, Jacob Hunter, Alexus Jackson, Timothy Kiralis, Savannah Knight, Brayden McLean, Parker Minzy, Tucker Nessmith, Phoebe Padgett, Jacoby Peaslee, Abigail Peil, Jackson Pelotte, Kameron Quinn, Eli Redmond, Alexander Reitchel, Autumn Sawyer, Jaelyn Seamon, Benjamin Severy, Nichala Small, Benjamin Sullivan, Phoebe Taylor, Addison Turner, Charles Uleau, Isaac Vallieres, Finnegan Vinci, Oryanna Winchenbach, Brody Worth, and Maddilyn York.

Grade 9

High Honors: Isaac Audette, Olivia Austin, Jeremiah Bailey, Linnea Bassett, Luke Blair, Jackson Blake, Silas Bolitho, Madeline Boynton, Delaney Brown, Liam Burgess, Emma Casey, Olivia Childs, Hunter Christiansen, Khloe Clark, Owen Couture, Jilian Desjardins, Robin Dmitrieff, Logan Dow, Isabella Farrington, Adalyn Glidden, Cody Grondin, Addison Hall, Madison Harris, Eva Hayden, Reid Jackson, Ivy Johns, Callianne Jordan, Chantz Klaft, Gaven Miller, Annie Miragliuolo, MacKenzie Oxley, Bryson Pettengill, Caylee Putek, Tayden Richards, Jessika Shaw, Lailah Sher, Bryson Stratton, Gabriel Studholme, Sabrina Studholme, Kaleb Tolentino, Cayden Turner, Carter Ulmer, Isabella Winchenbach, and Eryn Young. Honors: William Adamson IV, Ariana Armstrong, Ashton Bailey, Delia Bailey, Benjamin Beale, Hailey Boone, Cassidy Brann, Logan Chechowitz, Tyler Clark, Connor Crommett, Ryley Desmond, Kiley Doughty, Nolan Dow, Kelsie Dunn, Bella Dutilly, Wyatt Ellis, Gavin Fanjoy, Danica Ferris, Madison Field, Gianna Figucia, Scott Fitts, Audrey Fortin, Colby Frith, Nicholas Gould, Paige Greene-Morse, Lilly Hutchinson, Evan James, Channing Kelly, Peyton Kibbin, Maverick Knapp, Bryson Lanphier, Sawyer Livingstone, Jack Malcolm, Jasai Marable, Kate McGlew, Gage Miller, Alexis Mitton, Jacoby Mort, Emi Munn, Madeline Oxley, Molly Oxley, Layla Peaslee, Teagan Pilsbury, Sovie Rau, Samuel Richardson, Colton Ryan, Lucas Short, Braeden Temple, Mackullen Tolentino, Tyler Waldrop, and Brayden Ward.

China select board continues prep work for June 11 town meeting

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by Mary Grow

At their March 25 meeting, China select board members continued preparations for the June 11 annual town business meeting. They scheduled a special meeting Monday evening, April 1, to review the town meeting warrant (if Brent Chesley, who was absent March 25, is able to attend); their regular meeting April 8 is the deadline for a final warrant.

As of March 25, the draft warrant includes three ordinance revisions: amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance; changes to chapters 2, 3, and 11 of the Land Development Code, prepared by town attorney Amanda Meader to meet new state affordable housing requirements; and a new solar ordinance that, if approved, will become chapter 8 of the Land Develop­ment Code.

As of March 25, the draft warrant includes three ordinance revisions: amendments to the Planning Board Ordinance; changes to chapters 2, 3, and 11 of the Land Development Code, prepared by town attorney Amanda Meader to meet new state affordable housing requirements; and a new solar ordinance that, if approved, will become chapter 8 of the Land Development Code.

In other business March 25, select board members awarded the bid for a new storage vault attached to the town office to the lower of two bidders, Ralph McNaughton Construction, of Corinna, Maine, for more than $267,000.

Sheldon Goodine, chairman of the building committee, reminded board members that the high price includes a lot of “mechanicals” to keep the addition lighted and heated.

Board chairman Wayne Chadwick commented that delaying a decision would not bring the price down. Goodine said the project has been under discussion for four years.

Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said the town does not have $267,000 to spare at the moment. She and board members discussed funding sources, like the board’s voter-approved contingency fund; the town’s undesignated fund balance (informally called surplus); or perhaps, with voter approval on June 11, reallocated Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

Board members authorized Hapgood to discuss with the McNaughton company reducing the cost by having China’s public works crew do some of the groundwork.

Hapgood warned board members of another large pending expenditure: the proposed 2024-25 Kennebec County budget would raise China’s county tax by 39 percent, an increase of $238,000.

The public hearing on the draft county budget was scheduled for Wednesday evening, March 27. Hapgood planned to attend; Chadwick said he would if he could.

Board members postponed action on two agenda items, a request from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office (KSO) to put an antenna on the radio tower at the China town office and a proposed easement over land at the Branch Mills dam.

Hapgood said attorneys were discussing liability issues that might come up if KSO shared the town’s tower. She proposed offering use of the tower for free, since expanding KSO’s range would be a public service. Chadwick and fellow board member Blane Casey, with the proposed county budget fresh in their minds, leaned toward asking for payment.

The manager said there were still unanswered questions about the proposed easement.

In addition to final action on the June 11 meeting warrant, Hapgood expects the April 8 meeting agenda to include a presentation on the town’s valuation from assessor William Van Tuinen.

A gathering year for the improbables (April Fool’s story 2024)

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by Mary Grow

Few humans understand that a year in which two digits in our current Gregorian calendar add up to a third digit – like 2024, because 2 +2 = 4 — is a Gathering Year for the Improbables.

The last such year was 2013 (2 + 1 = 3). The next will be 2035 (2 + 3 = 5).

No human understands what criteria the Improbables use to choose their gathering place. There have been many theories and surmises over the centuries; none has had predictive value.

It is clear, however, that this year the small town of China, Maine, has been honored.

The earliest sighting, in late January, was of a pair of unicorns just off Maple Ridge Road, near the Winslow town line. The person who saw them did not report the sighting until this week.

“I’d had a couple beers, and I thought I was seeing things, like white horses with branches somehow stuck on their heads,” he confessed. “Couple beers don’t usually bother me. Couple unicorns, now, that’s a different story.”

A strange Yeti-like creature captured by a game camera near China Lake with China Baptist Church in the background.

The first Himalayan Yeti (also called the Abominable Snowman) was photographed by a game camera at a home on the northeast side of China Lake, apparently sampling suet from a bird-feeder. Two nights later, he or she returned with two other adults and a youngster. The homeowners took down the feeders and the camera.

In Thurston Park in February, cameras put up to deter vandals spotted 11 Bigfeet (Sasquatches), probably Canadian, and 11 Yowies from Australia playing a game that seemed to be similar to cricket. A park volunteer who studied the film said the Yowies won by a substantial margin, despite being less accustomed to winter weather in Maine.

A Deer Hill resident swears the animal who loped across Deer Hill Road in front of her car late one night was a werewolf. “I watch lotsa horror movies; I know one of them things when I see it,” she explained.

The werewolf was heading west, she said – “probably going down to the river hopin’ to find runnin’ water so’s he could get a drink.”

As word of unusual appearances began to spread, more people came forward to tell their tales. They include:

— The bird-watcher who is convinced he saw a roc over Three Mile Pond – “No, it was definitely not a big eagle. Not even big eagles come that big.”
— The Weeks Mills woman who did not dial 911 when a dozen centaurs filed down her driveway. “I’m a part-time 911 dispatcher myself, and I know what I’d be thinkin’ if I got a call like that,” she explained.
— The South China resident who watched a troop of elves hold an archery contest in his yard. “Man, those little guys can shoot – right into the bulls-eye every time, and so fast you couldn’t hardly believe it,” he said admiringly.
— Two China Village residents who interrupted their morning jog to see why the ducks in the open water by the causeway were agitated: they watched Poco, the 50-foot-long water snake from Pocomoonshine Lake, in Washington County, welcoming Champ from Lake Champlain, in Vermont, and Nessie from Loch Ness, in Scotland.

If past Gatherings are a guide, the Improbables will meet and greet in China until April 1. That evening, they will return to their homes until April Fools Day 2035.

China residents share memories of winters past

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Part of the crowd at the winters of the past memory-session sponsored by the China Historical Society. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

by Eric W. Austin

On the afternoon of Sunday, March 17, I parked in a puddle across from the China Baptist Church on Causeway Road. The day was cold and gray, but notably, China Lake was almost entirely free of ice, marking an unusually warm and (mostly) snow-sparse midwinter in Maine.

I was attending a memory-session at the Baptist church, organized by the China Historical Society, dedicated to reminiscing about winters past. Inside, several tables were set up with historic items brought by attendees or provided by the historical society, alongside a collection of photos. My attention was captured by a photo of an old-fashioned rail engine buried in the snow, with several men shoveling it out.

Bob Bennett, a member of the society, explained that the photo depicted one of the engines from the narrow-gauge railway that once connected China, Albion, and Branch Mills. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this railway was a bustling conduit for passengers and goods (mostly milk and potatoes). (Incidentally, Bob Bennett has plans for a tour of the narrow-gauge railway this summer, and interested individuals are encouraged to contact him or the society to reserve a spot.)

The session began with an old film recently digitized by the historical society, showing ice harvesting on China Lake. The film was grainy and silent, which left me wishing for a lively piano soundtrack to accompany the visuals.

David Rodrigue speaks to the group. (photo by Eric W. Austin)

Ron Morrell (photo by Eric W. Austin)

Ron Morrell, who moderated the discussion along with Scott McCormac, then invited the audience, comprising about two dozen residents, to share their memories. The conversation turned to the scale of ice harvesting on China Lake and the Kennebec River, where over 40 operations would take place each winter. The ice was cut with large saws and stored in sawdust-packed houses near the water.

A few attendees shared fond childhood memories of playing in the sawdust. One story, told by Harold Charles, involved two sisters who got back at their bothersome older brother by burying him up to his neck in sawdust at a local ice house.

Questions about the longevity of the stored ice led to discussions about the sawdust from local sawmills in Vassalboro, which was essential for preserving the ice all year. The conversation also touched on Maine’s ice being exported as far as Africa and the cobblestones used as ballast for the returning ships, which contributed to many of New England’s cobblestone roads and walkways.

The China Historical Society’s call for more winter photos from residents was highlighted, with a promise to digitize and return any photos shared.

Scott McCormac, president of the China Historical Society (photo by Eric W. Austin)

Following this, Harold Charles read from a diary entry or letter from the 1940s or ’50s, which included amusing advice on predicting the severity of the coming winter based on observations of corn husks, onion skins, and the behavior of squirrels.

Neil Farrington (photo by Eric W. Austin)

The discussion also covered memorable difficult winters, with Neil Farrington recalling skating through fields after an ice storm, and another resident reminiscing about the town’s post-New Year’s Christmas tree bonfires.

A brief slideshow showcased images from China, South China, and Branch Mills, with one resident explaining the purpose of wooden planks laid along the sidewalks to avoid the mud, due to the unpaved roads of the time.

The session wrapped up with anecdotes about E.B. White, known for Charlotte’s Web, who once spent a night in China, and reminiscences about the challenges of keeping warm in older times.

The event was documented by Tom Parent, with photos and audio recordings soon to be available from the China Historical Society. To join the society, a nominal membership fee of $10 (for individuals) is required.

China planners approve solar farm on Windsor Rd.

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by Mary Grow

After a lightly attended March 12 public hearing, China planning board members approved Perennial Sand Pit Solar’s planned community solar farm in a gravel pit on the west side of Route 32 (Windsor Road) in southern China (see The Town Line, issues of Feb. 22, p. 3, and March 7, pp. 2 and 3).

Before the unanimous decision, board chairman Toni Wall read an email from abutting landowner David Orr opposing the project. Applicants Nick Lacasse, of Perennial Sand Pit Solar, in Hallowell, and Andrew Johnston, of Atlantic Resource Consultants, in Freeport, answered questions from board and audience members.

On another issue, Chris Harris attended the March 12 meeting to talk again about his proposed subdivision on the north side of Route 3. Board members found his application complete and scheduled a public hearing for their March 26 meeting.

The March 26 meeting will include another public hearing, on proposed changes to China’s Land Use Ordinance to incorporate relevant parts of the new state housing law, commonly called LD 2003. Wall commented that town attorney Amanda Meader “did a really nice job” revising the ordinance.

Codes officer Nicholas French explained that with voter approval, the ordinance will allow up to two more “dwelling units” on some lots with single-family houses. One of the new units must be inside or attached to the original building; the other can be separate.

Turning to the proposed solar ordinance, planning board members unanimously approved the only change recommended by select board members at their March 11 meeting. The result is deletion of the sentence requiring that solar energy systems with more than two acres of panels “be further buffered such that they are not visible year-round from public roads.”

Members of both boards agreed that the requirement would be impossible to meet in some places in town; and that because of other buffering requirements, it is unnecessary.

The March 26 planning board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the town office meeting room.

A Maine rarity comes to China

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The Cape Racer (on far left). (photo by Bob Bennett)

by Bob Bennett

Many of we older Mainers spent much of our winters as kids outside, sliding down long hills on toboggans and other “vehicles” with runners. In some parts of our state, especially along the Downeast coast, one of the more widely seen sleds was known as a Cape Racer. While I haven’t found much information on these versions, the China Historical Society recently acquired one and it seems to be a true rarity. And, there are some ties to China. A quick look at those links starts us off.

Long-time China resident and antiques collector Dave Davis purchased the sled from a dealer in Searsport years ago. He says he did so because it was the longest version he had seen. It spent a long time in Dave’s garage and then emerged when he sold his house several years ago. The buyer, Bill Wahlfield, brought the sled outside a couple of summers ago and I first saw it in the grass next to his wood pile, and then supporting a newly planted tree. Bill had no idea of its function and I spent a fair amount of time trying to discover its use. It was obviously some kind of ice or snow vehicle due to its runners, but it was very long, about eight feet, and very narrow. Then, I ran into Mr. Davis at the South China Post Office a few weeks ago and he cleared up the mystery. It is a Cape Racer.

According to the information I found on line, this unique sled was first designed by a man named Martin Van Buren Gray, born in Brooksville, Maine in 1832. It apparently was named for Cape Rosier which is located near Blue Hill. The sled was later patented by a Percy Perkins who built a number of them and even sold some to Sears Roebuck in Boston. The sled was quite popular in the Hancock County area of Maine.

In an article published by the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society, a local named Monty Small wrote about his childhood sledding experiences and spoke well of the Cape Racer. “Some kids had store-bought Flexible Flyers, and some had homemade bobsleds that had two small sleds, one front and one rear, with a long plank in between. It would hold four or five kids, depending on the length of the plank. You steered with the front sled; usually with grab handles on the sled. My favorite sled was a “Cape Racer,” and lots of kids had one. Lyndon “Ham” Gross lived on the hill, and he had a real fast one named “Queenie.”

I always understood that this type sled was originally developed over in Cape Rosier, thus the name Cape Racer. They were indeed fast. They were made with two angled wooden side rails having polished steel runners. The rails were joined by a series of dowels set into the rails, and these are what you laid down on to slide. You crossed your arms in front of you and pulled up on the right rail to go right and left rail to go left. You also used a little body motion to help turn.” From other comments, much of these kids’ riding seems to have been on snow covered roads.

The donated sled generally matches Monty’s description. The dowels he mentioned that held the runners in position are actually steel rods, some threaded on each end and screwed into the runner supports. There is about two inches of “side-play” to both left and right that would have allowed some steering ability. The racer will ultimately be displayed in or museum and while it likely will not ever travel in the snow it is certainly a piece of history.

CORRECTION: In the March 21, 2024, issue of The Town Line, the Cape Racer was misidentified. The Cape Racer is the object on the left (in the picture above). Center is a 1960s “flying saucer” like sled, and the right is a traditional flex sled. It was an editing error.

Nolan Burgess receives MPA award

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Nolan Burgess

Headmaster Jamie Soule has announced that Nolan Burgess, of Whitefield, a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China, has been selected to receive the 2024 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, recognizes a high school senior’s academic excellence, outstanding school citizenship, and leadership.

Burgess is a consistent high-honors student in a highly competitive academic program that includes honors or accelerated level classes and numerous Advanced Placement and Concurrent Enrollment courses with nearby colleges. He has been commended and honored within the school for his exceptional academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and community service. Burgess has received awards for outstanding achievement in Social Studies, Advanced Mathematics courses, and Spanish, and he is currently ranked among the top students in Erskine Academy’s Class of 2024.

“Nolan has demonstrated outstanding dedication, integrity, and a commitment to excellence in all endeavors. He personifies the school’s core values of scholarship, leadership, stewardship, and relationships, and he is an excellent representative of Erskine Academy,” noted Headmaster Soule.

Burgess, Soule, and other award winners and their principals will attend an Honors Luncheon at Jeff’s Catering on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. The event recognizes outstanding students by presenting a plaque and awarding ten $1,000 scholarships in the names of former Maine principals and MPA Executive Directors: Horace O. McGowan, Richard W. Tyler, and Richard A. Durost.

China Baptist Church Bible group honors Mrs. Smiley on 95th birthday

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(contributed photo)

The China Baptist Church Women’s Bible Study group had a surprise 95 ‘Chocolate Birthday Party’ for Mrs. Smiley at their meeting this week. Everyone knows about Alene’s love of chocolate and she now has enough to last ‘til Christmas! She also received some other special gifts including a lovely lap quilt from Carlaine Bovio, a hand knitted shawl from Ann Austin, and a broach of seaglass with a hand painted picture of the church from Audrey Morneau. Alene has been a long time leader in the women’s Bible Study and in the past has held many different leadership roles in the church. She is still active, serving on the diaconate board. The party was organized and hosted by Nancy Pfeiffer.

Ice Out winners announced 2024

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Because ice went out on China Lake on a record date of March 11, 2024, the contest officially ended on that day.

Two entries nailed the date correctly: Jamie Nichols and Jennifer Noll both entered the exact date of ice out and are the winners of a gift card to Hannaford’s Supermarket.