EVENTS: Gravel road maintenance workshop slated

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Gravel roads are essential for seasonal and year-round access to homes, camps, and natural areas across Maine. If not properly maintained, they can lead to challenges for landowners – they can also contribute to erosion and water quality problems. Join them for a hands-on workshop focused on how to evaluate and maintain gravel roads with water quality and long-term performance in mind.

A gravel road maintenance workshop will be held on Tuesday, August 26, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Unity Community Center, 32 School St. Admission is free and a bag lunch is suggested. The workshop is presented by Peter Coughlan, director of Maine DOT’s Community Services Division, and Josh Platt, president and founder, Maine Environmental Solutions LLC.

This free training is ideal for landowners, contractors, town officials, watershed groups, and anyone else interested in improving road resilience and protecting nearby lakes and streams.

Enthusiastic response to Buffer Bundle Campaign

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Example of shoreline buffer plantings.

That was the belief that organizers of the China Lake Buffer Campaign had in mind when they came up with a plan to give bundles of native plants to shoreline property owners.

Six months in the making, the project was coming to completion in mid-June as the phosphorous-filtering plants were distributed to property owners for immediate planting. The campaign is the brainchild of Jen Jesperson, head of Ecological Instincts, an environmental consultant that has worked extensively with China Lake Association and other lake conservancy groups.

It was a resounding success, with more than 50 China Lake property owners quickly responding to the offer. “I’m amazed and pleased to see the response,” said Jen Syer, a CLA director who was one of the planners of the campaign. Syer called the campaign “a frictionless experience for landowners to help the lake.”

And help China Lake they will.

Native trees, shrubs, and ground-cover plants were carefully selected by Jespersen’s group for their buffering capability, and offered free to participants. Property owners also configured their selections to fit the landscape of their shorelines. Syer said a waiting list has been created for those who weren’t able to get the bundles this year.

If there was any doubt that people around the lake are committed to preserving and improving the water quality of China Lake, it was erased, she said. “Yes,” Syer said. “People care.” The China Lake Buffer Campaign is funded in part by a Section 319(h) Clean Water Act grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, administered by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Other project support is provided by the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District, China Lake Association, Kennebec Water District, and Kennebec Savings Bank, with technical support from Ecological Instincts.

Webber Pond water levels dropping

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Seaward Mill Stream from Three Mile Pond to Webber Pond. If you look carefully, you can see way more rocks than water. (contributed photo)

Why are Webber Pond’s water levels dropping?

According to a Webber Pond Association official, there are three factors affecting Webber water levels:

– Limited rain since early June – two inches shortfall vs. normal rain levels in June, another two inches in July, and a three-inch shortfall predicted for August (less than .85 inch for the whole month).
– Much less water inflow from Seaward Mills Stream since Three Mile Pond is facing the same lack of rain.
– Water levels went down from six inches above the spillway after the 1.9 inches of rain on June 28, to 0.5 inch over the spillway on July 31, a loss of 5.5 inches, due to weather and less inflow.

On July 31, the contractors for the new fishway asked for boards to be removed from the dam so that the water would be below the spillway in order for them to build a coffer dam in order to excavate for the deeper entrance to the lake in the new fishway design.

Unfortunately, the lake association* had not been informed in advance this would be required, so the association didn’t have time to give people a heads up. The contractor wanted to take the level down six inches, but the association insisted on no more than three inches below the spillway.

* The Webber Pond Association owns the dam.

FirstPark executive director retires after nearly eight years

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Jim Dinkle

Jim Dinkle, executive director of FirstPark, retired on July 24 after nearly eight years with the Kennebec Regional Development Authority (KRDA). Dinkle brought to the role more than three decades of experience in economic development and public service from around the country. Since joining FirstPark in November 2017, Dinkle led the business park through a period of steady growth and progress. Under his leadership, seven lots in the Oakland business park have been sold.

Dinkle prioritized strengthening FirstPark’s public presence and marketing efforts through the implementation of a strategic marketing and public relations plan. He has been a dedicated community advocate, engaging with local businesses, meeting with international leaders and representing FirstPark at key events across the region.

Michelle Flewelling, president of the KRDA, praised Dinkle’s leadership and dedication. “Jim has been a passionate advocate for FirstPark and the Kennebec region,” said Flewelling. “His leadership has laid a strong foundation for the park’s future, and we are deeply appreciative of his years of service, vision and commitment to our communities.”

“I’ve been involved with FirstPark since its inception more than 25 years ago, and Jim has been, by far, the best executive director we’ve had,” said Mike Roy, past immediate KRDA president. “He quickly established himself as a leader in the region’s economic development community and earned the trust of prospects through his prompt and dependable follow-through. Jim excels at building relationships, a cornerstone of successful economic development. Under his leadership, FirstPark entered a period of significant growth, with more activity and interest than in the years before his arrival. We are grateful for everything Jim has done for FirstPark and he will be deeply missed.”

“We were fortunate to have Jim join FirstPark at a time when his talent and depth of experience were exactly what we needed to drive FirstPark’s success,” said KRDA executive board member Peter Mills. “Jim came to us with vast experience in economic development, quickly making him our top candidate for the executive director position. Jim joined at a critical point, and under his leadership, the park has been very productive in expanding and bringing in new tenants. We have been lucky to benefit from Jim’s talent and knowledge. It will be very difficult to find someone else of his caliber to follow in his footsteps.”

“Since meeting Jim through Greenlight Maine, he has become both a mentor and a friend,” said Jacob Curtis, a season eight contestant on Greenlight Maine’s College Edition and current MSO analyst at InterMed. “He is someone who encourages me, asks thoughtful questions and shares valuable insights from his decades of experience. I know many people in my generation can feel intimidated talking with someone so accomplished, but Jim is anything but intimidating. He’s warm, caring and genuinely invested in the success of young entrepreneurs and in the well-being of the community. His passion for lifting others up is a true reflection of his character. Jim has made a lasting impact, and his legacy of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire.”

The KRDA Board will announce succession plans in the coming weeks.

For more information, contact Emma Quinlan at equinlan@marshallpr.com. To learn more about FirstPark, visit FirstPark.com.

EVENTS: Nelson reunion

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Palermo Christian Church (photo from the church’s Facebook page)

Submitted by Jo Jo Nelson

Do you know a Nelson?

The 100th Nelson Reunion of Erastus and Eliza Nelson descendents will be held on August 9th at the Palermo Christian Church.

The first Nelson Family Reunion was hosted by Erastus and Eliza’s 6th child Frank Miles Nelson in 1925. Frank and his wife, Ellen (right from Ireland) owned a farm on the Western Ridge Road in Palermo, Maine. Frank had built a new garage. When he proudly showed his mother, Ella said, “Frank, before you get this sweet smelling place in use, let us get the family together here to eat a meal.” This was the start of a 100 year tradition. For years the reunion had a hot meal until it got to be a lot of work, then it was changed to a pot luck.

Frank’s brother (the 7th child) Rodney and his wife, Julia, also settled in Palermo. In 1914 Rodney passed away due to a hay accident leaving his wife with six children. The two boys, Oscar (16 years old and Jaspar (13 years old) continued working the farm on North Palermo Road, Palermo, Maine. Seven years later Oscar would leave to start his own farm in Albion.

Over the years Oscar gradually acquired more and more acreage until he was operating three adjacent farms with the help of his son Paul. Oscar had about 60 head of stock and was selling milk when Paul enlisted in the Army. Oscar sold off some of the land and stock to what he could manage alone. Paul spent five years in the Army during World War II. In 1947 Paul married Erika Shanid in Germany.

Paul and Erika settled in Albion and raised there three children, Gerald, Christa, and Stephen. Christa married Arvid Bumps, son of Bernard and Hattie Bumps, of China. They have two children Heidi and Trever. Do you know them?

Christa’s brother Stephen and his wife Sonia (the daughter of Arthur and Madeleine Beldon, of Palermo) continue to farm the land where his father once farmed. Paul would help out on the farm until his death. Steve and Sonia are parents to Ricky, Rusty and Darren Nelson. Do you know them?

Look for the Nelson’s float in the Palermo Day’s Parade (jump on and join us). After the parade the Nelsons will host the 100th Nelson Family Reunion, at the Palermo Christian Church, with a catered luncheon at noon, and business meeting at 1p.m. All Nelsons are welcome to join!

Story from the Nelson Family Reunion book by Eva Chamberlain and updated by Cheryl Beldon.

Webber Pond Dam construction update

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Vassalboro resident Nate Gray, of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, at the Webber Pond Dam, the beginning of Seven Mile Stream. (The Town Line file photo)

As of July 23, the construction area of the parking lot at Webber Pond Dam has been blocked off.

Construction began on Monday, July 28, and at that time the Dam Rd. was closed. Detour signs will be in place to direct traffic around via McQuarrie Rd. The goal is to complete construction of the fishway as quickly as possible, but depending on conditions the road may stay closed no later than September 30.

For $5, a resident has offered parking on his lawn, which is directly across from the boat launch. People should park on the left side of this driveway (not the right). There is a box toward the head of the driveway where the $5 can be deposited if he is not around.

VCS students actualize welcome to Vassalboro signs

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Last year Town Manager Aaron Miller reached out to Vassalboro Community School’s art teacher Mia Sargent and pitched an idea that not only sparked creativity with her students but also will surely build hometown pride for many years to come.

Rather than spend about $1,600 to have the signs manufactured, the town spent about $120 on plywood. The paint was donated from Public Works Director Brian Lajoie. The end product was well worth the wait.

To create their designs, students first engaged in brainstorming and research about the town of Vassalboro, reflecting on what makes Vassalboro the unique and remarkable place that it is. Many students chose to represent aspects of nature in their designs, as these images highlight the characteristic beauty of the area and can resonate with the larger population of Vassalboro. Hundreds of designs were drawn by the students of VCS, which they then voted on to narrow down to just a handful of designs.

The final four designs represented on the signs showcase the collaborative and dedicated efforts of students across the grade levels of VCS. The Vassalboro Community School students are proud of their work in designing and creating the new Vassalboro town line signs.

Palermo’s Riley Reitchel earns All-American status at nationals

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Riley Reitchel

University of Southern Maine Junior Riley Reitchel, of Palermo, a graduate of Erskine Acedemy, in South China, earned All-American honors at the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, in Geneva, Ohio. Reitchel placed fourth in the javelin to earn First Team All-American status.

Reitchel recorded a throw of 41.23m to place fourth. The distance came on her second throw of the day. Reitchel, who placed 22nd at the 2023 National Championship meet as a freshman, is the fourth athlete in program history to earn All-American honors in the javelin.

CAREER RESULTS

2025: Earned First Team All-American honors by placing fourth in the javelin at the NCAA DIII National Championships with a throw of 41.32m* … LEC champion in the javelin with a distance of 41.48m … DIII New England champion in the javelin with a mark of 41.09m … Placed second in the pole vault at the LEC championships with a height of 2.95m … Member of a 4×100 relay team that placed third at the LEC Championships … Earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors in the javelin.

2024: Com­peted in three meets … Set a season-best mark of 3.10m to tie for third in the pole vault at the Coast Guard Spring Invite … Had a season-best javelin throw to 36.95m to place fifth at the SNHU Penmen Relays … Named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.

2023: Placed 22nd in the javelin at the NCAA Division III Track & Field National Championships with a throw of 32.97m … Named the LEC Field Rookie of the Year after winning the javelin at the conference championships with a throw of 38.52m … Placed third in the pole vault (2.95m) and eighth in the 200m (27.90) at the LEC Championships … Placed second in the javelin at the DIII New England Championships at 38.52m … Won the NEICAAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a throw of 45.49m that ranks as the second-best in program history … Earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors in the javelin.

Indoor Season Awards and Honors: 2024 LEC champion in the pole vault … Member of a 4×200 relay team that placed second at the 2024 LEC Championships … Member of the 2023 LEC champion 4×400 relay team … Earned All-Rookie honors in the pole vault after tying for second place in 2023.

Academic Awards and Honors: Earned USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete honors in 2023 … Named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District.

Before USM: Varsity soccer and varsity track went to state freshmen year/Rookies Award … Varsity soccer, coaches award, varsity track went to state and coaches award sophomore year … Varsity soccer, coaches award, All-state, varsity track coaches award and went to state junior year … Varsity soccer, coaches award, All-state, Senior Bowl, Varsity track, coaches award KVAC All-Academic, All-star, State champions, Eagle award senior year … KVAC All academic, Top Ten, National Board Award … Student council, Girl-up, AFS, AFS, International outreach

Personal: Majoring in Linguistics … Attended Erskine Academy, in South China, … Daughter of Richard and Daniellle Reitchel … Has one sibling, Alexander … Also a member of the USM women’s soccer team and has earned All-Region and All-LEC honors on the pitch.

* A meter is equal to 3.28 feet.

Owners of Emery’s Meats presented with plaque

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On July 19, members American Legion Riders of Decker-Simmions Post #51, of Oakland gathered for a short ride to Emery’s Meats, in Waterville, to present a plaque of appreciation to owners Roland and Kristy Emery for their contributions to the advancement of ALR programs and activities supporting our country’s veterans. (contributed photo)

Mitchell Institute announces 13 new Mitchell Scholars from Somerset County (2025)

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Thirteen recent high school graduates from Somerset County have been named 2025 Mitchell Scholars by the Mitchell Institute. The 2025 scholars join more than 3,800 past recipients who have been unlocking their potential, having successful college experiences and contributing to the vitality of their communities since 1995. Students receive a $10,000 scholarship award, along with ongoing personal and professional support to ensure they find success in their journey throughout college and beyond.

These students include: Desmond Robinson – Carrabec High School, Allie Dunning – Forest Hills Consolidated School, Addy Battis – Lawrence High School, Harley Greatorex – Lawrence High School, Kallie Richards – Lawrence High School, Bryan Donnelly – Madison Area Memorial High School, Aurora Norsworthy – Madison Area Memorial High School, Sophia Barrientos – Marine Academy of Natural Sciences, Johnathan Batchelder – Maine Academy of Natural Sciences, Grace Curtis – Overman Academy, Cailyn McKechnie – Skowhegan Area High School, Michela Provost – Skowhegan Area High School, and Madeline Hill – Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial High School.

“Senator Mitchell realized a bold vision when he created the Mitchell Institute – to increase the likelihood that young people from every community in Maine will aspire to, pursue, and achieve a college education,” said Jared Cash, CEO. “In our 30th year, his vision is more important than ever before. We’re proud to support these remarkable young people as they begin journeys that will benefit Maine for generations to come.”

Each year the Mitchell Institute receives more than 1,600 applications and is tasked with choosing at least one student from every public school in the state. Scholars are chosen with a balanced view of their financial needs, academic achievement, and community impact.

This year marks the largest class in Mitchell’s 30-year history – with 200 Ssholars in total.

But this year was unique in more ways than just the numbers: “Every part of the Mitchell community had a hand in choosing who made up the incoming class,” said Casey Near, Scholarship Director. “I was joined by our Access Ambassadors to help promote the Mitchell Institute on visits to high schools, and Alumni were able to read applications for the first time ever, along with the staff and board to help select recipients.”

The benefits of this unique program can be proven through its statistics: Scholars graduate college at a rate 30 percent higher than the national average; 81 percent are working in career-related jobs; 29 percent report they hold a master’s degree; 10 percent hold either a doctorate, JD, or an MBA; and 71 percent say access to the Mitchell Board, donors, and alumni network have had a positive impact on their careers.

The Mitchell Institute unlocks the potential of Maine college students so that they can find success in college and contribute to the vitality of their communities.