Vassalboro Methodists adapt to changes

/0 Comments/in , /by

Pews that were moved from the old church to the new. (photo courtesy of Dale Potter-Clark)

by Dale Potter-Clark

The Vassalboro Methodists first professed their faith in 1794 when the itinerant minister Rev. Jesse Lee preached at Getchell’s Corner, and they have been on the move and adapting to change ever since.

Vassalboro history tells us there were four Methodist churches in town at one time: South Vassalboro on Cross Hill (1813); East Vassalboro (1840); North Vassalboro (1865); and at Getchell’s Corner (1868). None of those buildings exist any longer. The Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) on route 32/Main Street is the only one in town today – constructed when the declining congregations in North and East Vassalboro recognized the need to change. They combined in 1987 and took on the seemingly gargantuan task of constructing a new church building.

The old East Vassalboro Methodist Church. (photo courtesy of Dale Potter-Clark)

Ever since VUMC’s doors opened in 1988 community members have been welcomed to worship services – some have transferred from other local churches that have closed their doors. Public meals, weddings, funerals and special events are frequently held there as well. Other than choosing to add a rear el to hold office space and two meeting rooms in 2003, members of the little country church have not had to undertake any major structural or interior changes until last year. It was then a largely attended funeral made them realize they needed to make some adaptations for folks with mobility and accessibility challenges and they immediately began to plan accordingly.

“The project was planned in three stages,” said Harvey Boatman, project coordinator. “Once funding was secured, our first step was to install a lift/elevator between the sanctuary and the lower level where our fellowship hall and bathrooms are located. The lift is very close to completion and it should become operational in February. During the early stages of the installation we discovered significant damage to the roof so unexpected, emergency repairs had to be done which included removal of the damaged steeple. Through all that, the lift installation never faltered. We had a lot going on here for a while last fall,” said Boatman.

Once the lift was 99 percent done the next major adaptation for improved accessibility was to remove parts of two pews near the center of the sanctuary to better accommodate wheelchairs. This was completed on Tuesday, January 21st and the following day some veteran members saw the changes. “There are several older folks who attend VUMC – some who were once members of the East or North Vassalboro churches and were here when VUMC was built,” said Boatman. “But given time to understand they have been real troopers! It’s human nature to have some resistance to change no matter how young or old we are but the vast majority of our congregation has been on board from the beginning.”

Theresa White, 94, of Vassalboro, was among the first to arrive on Wednesday and even though she was there for a meeting, she arose from her chair saying, “I cannot wait! I have to go upstairs to see the pews. Mae Jones was not far behind her. “It is beautiful,” exclaimed White. “You can’t really even tell they were ever there. The carpet there looks good too and isn’t hurt at all.” Jones recalled that one of the removed pews used to be “her pew,” where she sat with Carroll and Betty Rowe over the years. Through their reminiscing both White and Jones seemed to appreciate the progress made and the craftsmanship that went into the job.

The pews at VUMC were moved there from the East Vassalboro Methodist church that no longer stands. A news article appeared in 1871 when that church was built and included details such as, “…the circular pews with ash backs (now at VUMC) sat 300 people. Friend, C.M. Bailey, from the Winthrop Center Quaker congregation, gave a Bible; William Cates a pulpit chair; James Cates a chandelier and side lamps; Mrs. S. Marshall the altar table.” The bell was added in 1873 and that, along with the pews and some of the previously mentioned items, was also moved to VUMC in 1988. That bell chimes every Sunday morning to welcome folks to the worship service and beckoning to those who may also come one day to help re-fill those old pews.

A ceremony will be held later this year to dedicate the new lift/elevator and to recognize those who made it possible through their donations of funds, time and efforts. FMI about VUMC’s continuing accessibility project, their events, programs and services email info.vumc@gmail.com or phone (207) 873-5564 or follow the Vassalboro United Methodist Church Facebook page.

FROM NORTH VASSALBORO Methodist Church

Stained glass windows on the north and south walls of the sanctuary;
Pews in the Fellowship Hall (they are too large to fit in the sanctuary);
Large Pastor’s pulpit and chair;
Communion table;
Marble top table at back of sanctuary.

FROM EAST VASSALBORO Methodist Church:

Stained glass window behind pulpit, moved in and remains enclosed in original framing;
The 1,500 lb. steel church bell cast by Sheffield Sons & Co., in England, in 1871;
The pews in the sanctuary;
The smaller Lay Leader pulpit and chair.

Cabin Fever Quilt Show and luncheon on tap in Vassalboro

/0 Comments/in , /by

A “Cabin Fever Quilt Show and Luncheon” will be held in Vassalboro on Saturday, February 15, (storm date February 22) at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), 614 Main Street.. “What better way to spend a mid-winter Saturday than taking in a display of beautiful new and vintage quilts,” said one of the event coordinators, Dale Potter-Clark. “Quilts of all sizes, ages, patterns and skill levels will be draped over the pews in the sanctuary, producing a rather breathtaking display.” A luncheon will add to the enjoyment of the day.

Some antique quilts from the Vassalboro Historical Society’s collection will be among those on display as well as others, both old and new, from church members and local families. Information about the quilts’ histories will be provided and there will be people on standby to answer questions that may arise. Those who attend the Quilt Show will be eligible for a door prize – one drawing will be done every hour 11:00 a.m – 2 p.m. Some newly-made quilts will be available for purchase, a percentage of which will be designated to the VUMC building fund as will be all proceeds from the day.

The quilts will be on display 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and the luncheon will be served 11:30 a.m. p.m., to include special desserts and sweets with Valentine’s Day in mind for a $10 donation, and additional donations would be appreciated for the Quilt Show. Anyone with interest in entering a quilt, whether vintage or newer, can email crossings4u@gmail.com or call or text (207) 441-9184. Follow this and future special events and public meals on the Vassalboro United Methodist Church Facebook page.

China’s garden project aims to unite the community

/0 Comments/in , /by

Hsiang shows off some of the parsnips grown this past summer. (contributed photo)

by Eric W. Austin

In an era where community spirit is more important than ever, China’s new garden project aims to bring people together by fostering a sense of connection and collaboration through a shared love of gardening.

Organizer Jim Hsiang, begins assembly of the raised beds. (contributed photo)

Managed by the China for a Lifetime committee, and advised by Jim and Jude Hsiang, this initiative builds on their successful experience with similar projects in Connecticut to ensure its success here. The garden will be centrally located on the south side of the Town Office, by the Red Barn, making it accessible and convenient to all community members.

The project will feature 36 garden beds available for rent, providing ample space for participants to cultivate their own plants. Any surplus produce will be donated to the China Community Food Pantry, further benefiting those in need. Additionally, a spring workshop will introduce participants to the basics of gardening, equipping them with the knowledge to make the most of their plots. A nominal fee of $25/year, or $15/year for seniors, will be required to participate.

While the project has received several generous donations already, they still need to raise about $1,500 from local businesses and individuals to fully fund the effort before spring. Volunteers are also essential for building the fenced-in area, constructing a storage shed, and preparing the garden beds.

James Hsiang and Tom Michaud will be putting the garden beds together on Saturday, February 8, and they could use additional volunteers to help with the effort.

Those interested in signing up for a garden plot or seeking more information should contact the committee by email at ChinaForALifetime@gmail.com. Follow “China Community Garden Project” on Facebook for future updates and announcements.

Community members can also support the project by donating recyclables (bottles and cans) designated for the garden project at China Variety and Redemption in China Village on Rt. 202 just north of the lake.

The Garden Committee is excited to see our community come together through this initiative and looks forward to the growth and connections it will inspire. Join us in bringing this vision to life!

PHOTO: Success on the ice

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

James Owens, son of Anne Owens, of Vassalboro, caught this beautiful brown trout, in China Lake, on Saturday, January 18. The trout was 19 inches long and weighed 3 pounds.

Local bank named America’s Best Regional Bank

/0 Comments/in , /by

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions” for the second consecutive year. Pictured is the South China branch.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has been recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions” for the second consecutive year. The bank and its branches received a five-out-of-five star rating and were selected from among 9,170 financial institutions across the country based on a combination of factors including financial health, operational performance, and customer reviews.

The Newsweek award is one of many honors bestowed on the bank in the past few years. Others include Forbes “World’s Best Banks” in 2024 and 2023; Forbes “Best-in-State Banks” in 2024, 2023, and 2022; Newsweek’s “America’s Best Banks” in 2022; and the Mastercard® Doing Well by Doing Good Award in 2022.

One of the key factors that determine what financial institutions are chosen for these awards is input from customers.

Oakland woman named Maine Mother of the Year

/0 Comments/in , /by

Monica Wilcox Charette

Monica Wilcox Charette, of Oakland, has been named 2025 Maine Mother of the Year. Charette will be recognized and represent Maine at the 90th National Convention of American Mothers, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in April, where one honoree will be named American Mother of the Year.

A native of Aroostook County, Charette is a graduate of Presque Isle High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Maine at Orono. She has lived in Oakland, Kennebec County, for the past three decades with her husband Randy, and their children, Cassidy and Colby.

She is a journalist, photographer, author, and podcast creator/host. Charette has a 35-year professional career working in the nonprofit sector, including serving as director of public relations for the former Mid-Maine Medical Center, fund development director at Mount Merici Academy, and she served the last 10 years as communications director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine.

Charette is the founder and executive director of ShineOnCass Foundation, a nonprofit created 10 years ago to carry forth the legacy of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette, a longtime community volunteer and advocate for children, who died in a Maine hayride accident in 2014. According to American Mothers, Inc., Charette has used this platform to champion youth mentoring, animal welfare, youth literacy, provide scholarships for athletics, music and art, and establish multiple community scholarships and awards for service-focused high school students in central Maine. She also helped inaugurate multiple youth mentoring programs in her community and created free lending libraries for children at Boys/Girls Clubs and YMCAs in Waterville and Augusta. She and her son Colby co-host Holding the Light Podcast to support bereaved families of child loss.

Charette also volunteers as a weekly coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters ShineOnCass youth mentoring program at Messalonskee, serves on the Oakfest, Maine Committee, and is a member of the Waterville Area Women’s Club.

“It is an honor to represent all Maine Moms, and especially my fellow bereaved mothers, at the national convention this spring,” Charette said. “I am humbled to be chosen to represent our beautiful state and many mothers for whom I have tremendous respect and admiration. I’ve never been more inspired, or prouder, to be a Mainer.

Every year, mothers from around the country are selected by a national committee from American Mothers, Inc. to represent their respective state as Mother of the Year. The mission is to recognize mothers and their positive impact in their families and communities. To support this year’s Mother of the Year through the Maine Chapter of American Mothers, contact Lisa Newall at Lisa.Newell@va.gov. For information about American Mothers, Inc., visit americanmothers.org.

New librarian at ACB Library

/0 Comments/in , /by

Alexis Burbank

by Birdie

The new librarian at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Librarian, in China Village, is Alexis Burbank. She initiated her tenure in October 2024 and is devoted to fostering the library’s growth and development. She has been working diligently on introducing family-friendly activities, including the ongoing 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge.

Furthermore, she hosts multiple craft nights and is developing a summer reading program. Her favorite literary genre is folklore. Additionally, she is a talented artist.

Alexis graduated from the University of Maine Machias in 2014 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts. She has been actively engaged in artistic pursuits since childhood. Alexis collaborates with fellow artists to create illustrated books, which are subsequently published. She also designs leather masquerade masks, which are shipped globally through her online business, Faylander Studios. Her artwork has been featured in Downeast magazine, and she won the poster contest at the Windsor Fair last year for her poster of pulling horses.

If you haven’t had the chance to meet her yet, I highly recommend visiting our exceptional library and introducing yourself to her!

Proposed Pine Tree subdivision in Palermo – part 2

/0 Comments/in , , /by
by Jeanne Marquis

(See part 1 of this series here.)

Holden reports that his committee has gathered over 100 signatures to date on a petition against the approval of the proposed Pine Tree subdivision. To participate in the petition, contact Holden at heholden@fairpoint.net.

The proposed Pine Tree subdivision is planned for a 27-acre site on Hostile Valley Road (Tax Map R11, lot 27C) in a sparsely developed Sheepcot River watershed area in Palermo. The Pine Tree subdivision would include 15 buildable lots of varying sizes with each lot required to have separate wells and septic systems.

Holden, an abutting property owner to the proposed Pine Tree subdivision, said, “We are not against development – Palermo must keep up with the rest of the world, but this area is the wrong place.”

Melissa Cote, Sheepscot River Watershed Manager from the Midcoast Conservancy, wrote the following statement concerning the location of the proposed Pine Tree Subdivision in Palermo, Maine:

* * * * * *

There is a right place and a wrong place for most things, and this valuable ecological habitat is the right place to protect the fragile Sheepscot River ecosystem. We are specifically concerned about its proximity to the mainstem of the Sheepscot River. There is a brook that the parcel borders that leads directly into the mainstem Sheepscot River which runs into Sheepscot Lake, so water quality is a concern here. The parcel is currently forested, and forests help keep water clean, especially along streams. Forests filter pollutants from the surrounding landscape and also help to shade rivers and streams which helps to keep water cool in our warming climate. The developer is proposing 15 new lots all with individual septic systems. Septic systems are designed to remove bacteria, which is a human health concern, but not nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which can lead to algal blooms in nearby water bodies.

My understanding from the Sheepscot Lake Association is that the water quality in the Lake is fairly good and this subdevelopment could potentially threaten the water quality of the brook, river, and the lake. If you look at the Beginning With Habitat Map viewer, you can see that the parcel is part of a 1,557 acre undeveloped habitat block, has mapped deer wintering habitat, is less than 500 feet from an aquifer, and is also near federally endangered Atlantic salmon habitat in the mainstem Sheepscot River. It’s also less than a quarter mile from an even larger undeveloped forest block (5,703 acres) which is where Midcoast Conservancy has 1,100+ acres of preserved land with hiking trails. Developing within an undeveloped habitat block leads to habitat fragmentation, which is when large blocks of habitat are cut into smaller pieces and leaves wildlife with less space and freedom to move about their habitat. Overall, there are a lot of environmental concerns here, and something we’d like to communicate to people is that healthy watersheds = healthy communities. Once water quality is impaired it is very difficult and costly to restore. We think there are better places for a subdevelopment to be located than this parcel on Hostile Valley Road.

The board of the Sheepscot Lake Association expressed their concern for the preservation for the lake as well and their trust in the planning board in their statement regarding the proposed Pine Tree Subdivision:

As the board of a lake association, Sheepscot Lake Association’s focus concerns the health and preservation of the lake and watershed. We continue to encourage proper buffers to reduce erosion and restrictions on fertilizers and any runoffs that would affect this, and any water body. And we certainly want development to follow code and work closely with the local regulatory agencies. We support the planning board’s approach to the situation as they are knowledgeable about the requirements, respect the process of controlled development, and base approval on current ordinances.

After the first article on the proposed Pine Tree Subdivision, Cameron Maillet, chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, felt there was confusion as to what documents would govern the approval process of the proposed subdivision. Maillet explained, “The Comprehensive Plan for the town of Palermo was written over 30 years ago and is not a binding document. The ordinance written in 2002 that does pertain to the proposed subdivision is the Subdivision Ordinance of the Town of Palermo.” The Comprehensive Plan is currently being updated. Meeting times and dates for the Comprehensive Plan Committee will be posted on the Town of Palermo website.

* * * * * *

The Subdivision Ordinance, which can be found on the Town of Palermo website here, is also currently being reviewed by the planning Bbard. The board’s next meeting to review this document is scheduled Tuesday, January 28 at 6 pm at the Town Office.

EVENTS: Vassalboro church to hold benefit for California fire victims

/0 Comments/in , , /by

A benefit supper will be held by members of the Vassalboro Methodist Church on January 25th to benefit the southern California fire victims. Pictured here are some members of the planning committee, from left to right, Dale Potter-Clark, Nancy Adams, Linda Millay, Cindy Shorey and Simone Antworth all of Vassalboro. (photo courtesy of Dale Clark)

by Dale Potter-Clark

Members of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) are holding a public supper on Saturday, January 25, to benefit the southern California fire victims. The menu will include baked beans, salads, casseroles, breads and desserts.

Thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed in the southern California fires, as well as local schools and churches. Preliminary assessments of the damage are underway and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has already awarded two solidarity grants to the California-Pacific Annual Methodist Conference to undergird their immediate relief efforts. This includes evacuee support like food and essential supplies as well as support for volunteer efforts and other relief activities. Proceeds from the VUMC public supper will assist the fire victims through the efforts of UMCOR.

The supper will take place at the VUMC, at 614 Main Street, Vassalboro, from 4 to 6 p.m., for a $10. donation. FMI email info.vumc@gmail.com or phone (207) 873-5564 and/or visit the Vassalboro United Methodist Church facebook page.

EVENTS: Vassalboro scouts to be honored on Scout Sunday

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The Vassalboro Boy Scouts of America Scouting Troop #410 and Pack# 410 will be honored at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church on Scouts Sunday, February 2. Front row, from left to right, Declan McLaughlin, Lila Reynolds, Boone McLaughlin, Metcalf, and Beckett Metcalf. Back, Cubmaster Chris Reynolds, Lux Reynolds, Cole Stufflebeam, William Vincent, Christopher Santiago, Hunter Brown, and Scoutmaster Christopher Santiago. (contributed photo)

by Dale Potter-Clark

Members of the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) will honor the Vassalboro BSA Scouting Troop #410 and Pack #410 and their Scoutmasters at 10 a.m., on Scouts Sunday, February 2. “We want to commend our Vassalboro Scouts for their outstanding community service and good deeds,” said VUMC’s Pastor Karen Merrill. “We hope that former Scouts and leaders will also plan to attend.” A reception will follow in the VUMC fellowship hall. Family members are also invited and encouraged to attend.

The event will take place at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church, at 614 Main Street, from 10 a.m. to noon. FMI email Pastor Merrill info.VUMC@gmail.com or Chris Santiago vassalborocubscoutpack410@gmail.com.