China voting results (June 2025)

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by Mary Grow

The small number of China voters who came to the polls on June 10 approved all ballot questions presented.

A 34-article annual town business meeting ballot authorized town government funding and various select board actions for the 2025-26 fiscal year, plus repealing two ordinances and amending two others.

Town Clerk Angela Nelson’s tally said 277 voters filled out these ballots. Of the 34 questions, only three received fewer than 200 “yes” votes.

— The vote to repeal China’s recreational marijuana ordinance (because state regulations supersede it, Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood had explained) was 156 in favor, 112 opposed.
— The vote to repeal China’s quorum ordinance (because it is not legal, Hapgood had said) was 163 in favor, 107 opposed.
— The vote to appropriate $64,000 for community support organizations was 199 in favor, 76 opposed.

On the two-question Regional School Unit #18 ballot, 192 voters approved the annual budget referendum, endorsing the 2025-26 school budget approved in May. Seventy-nine voters were opposed; five left the question blank.

The second question, whether to continue the annual referendum for another three years, was approved 199 to 68, with nine blank ballots.

Complete results from the June 10 voting are on the town website, chinamaine.org, by clicking on the Elections tab on the right-hand side of the main page.

Successful completion of the watershed survey

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Volunteers and team leaders for Webber Pond. (contributed photo)

by Mary Schwanke
Webber Pond Association
Water Quality Committee

For the first time in more than 20 years a complete watershed survey has been accomplished for the 14,226 acres (22.5 square miles) of land surrounding three connected ponds in our area. Three-cornered Pond is the headwater for the two larger ponds, draining into Three mile Pond via Barton Brook, which then drains northwest into Webber Pond via Seaward Mills Stream. Twenty volunteers, including 17 local community members and three environmental stewards from the Maine Conservation Corps, joined 10 technical leaders from Ecological Instincts (Manchester), Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Maine DEP for three full days of survey work. Teams of three spent the days walking shoreline proprieties, inspecting driveways and camp roads, and checking culverts at stream crossings for signs of erosion and storm water runoff. Runoff is the leading cause of excess external phosphorus in lakes, fueling algal and cyanobacterial blooms, including some that can release toxins harmful to children, pets, and wildlife.

In addition to the surveys of developed land conducted May 15-17, a team from Ecological Instincts has undertaken surveys of agricultural and forested lands in the watershed to help complete the picture. Only about five percent of land owners opted out of having their properties surveyed, which is great news for generating a very comprehensive data set to help us understand factors affecting our water quality. The watershed survey data, along with data from water sampling in 2024 and this summer, will be used by our professional consultants to model external and internal sources of phosphorus and generate recommendations to reduce total phosphorus in all three ponds. A summary of survey results will be shared with the public and will be used in the development of a 10-year watershed based management plan to help improve water quality.

This project is being funded by two grant programs administered by Maine DEP, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Nonpoint Source Grant for Pollution Control Projects (NPS) totaling nearly $100,000. Additional support has been provided by the Towns of Vassalboro and Windsor, the John Sage Foundation, the China Region Lakes Alliance, and Maine Lakes/Lake Stewards of Maine. Two additional proposals were recently submitted to the 2025 CWSRF and NPS programs to fund the project’s remaining tasks: completion of all data analyses and modeling, review and prioritization of management strategies including potential remediation options, and the writing of the new Tri-Watershed Based Management Plan by late 2026/early 2027. The plan will be used to guide watershed restoration and protection efforts over the next 10 years.

Special thanks go to our intern, Ellie Hatt, an environmental steward with the Maine Conservation Corps. She was instrumental in preparing the property lists and sector maps for the watershed survey, as well as helping with the training of volunteers for this project.

Volunteers and team leaders for Three-cornered and Three-mile ponds. (contributed photo)

China schools forest day “huge” success

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by Elaine Philbrook

What do Snickles the snake, Henry the Owl, and Smokey Bear all have in common? These are some of the characters you would have encountered on Friday, May 30, during the China Primary School Forest Day.

The first Schools’ Forest Day was in the spring of 2000. On that day about 600 students in grades kindergarten-seventh, plus 60 staff members from the China Schools spent half a learning day outside with 25 different presentations. It was a huge success! After that about every two years a Schools’ Forest Day became part of the China Schools experience. The last Schools’ Forest Day was in 2017. In 2019 plans were in the works for the 10th Schools Forest Day but the pandemic put the brakes on the plans.

Like other events before the pandemic it has taken some time to get things up and running. Earlier this year at the end of a China Forest Committee meeting I asked if there was any interest in providing a mini Forest Day for the students at the China Primary School. One committee member had participated as a student in Schools’ Forest Day. She was very excited to see this event return for the China Primary School’s students. Once the rest of the committee understood what happens on a School Forest Day they were all on board. The China Primary School was contacted to see if there was interest for a School Forest Day. Once confirmed the plan was put into motion to have a School Forest Day for the China Primary School students. After months of planning and organizing, on May 30, Pre-K through fourth grade students all ventured outside for a day of learning and fun in the China Community Forest.

This event was a “HUGE” success according to all who were involved. Students were overheard hearing, “Best day ever” and “I’ll never forget this day.” Teachers and volunteers were all smiles even though they were quite exhausted!

Many thanks to everyone who supported this day in the China Community Forest. Thanks to the teachers and staff at the China Primary School who did not hesitate to trust us with their students outside for the day, all the classroom volunteers who gave of their time providing those much needed extra adults in the classrooms on this special day, the presenters who gave their time, expertise and shared their love of the out of doors with our young students.

Thank you to the PTO, RSU #18 Central office, School board, China Select Board, TIF Committee and Town Manager for ongoing support and partnerships with the China Community Forest and the opportunities it offers to our amazing community.

This day would not have been possible without the dedicated commitment of Beth Swahn, Larry Lemieux, Nancy Lemieux, Jess Parlin, Susan Cottle, Peter Moulton, Robert Kanzler, Donna Loveland and myself, Elaine Philbrook, a/k/a China Com­munity Forest Com­mittee.

EVENTS: Maine residents invited to free Alzheimer’s conference

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The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) will host a free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference, in Portland, on Wednesday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa (20 Milk Street). The free conference is open to everyone and will allow participants to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health, caregiving, and aging. Register by visiting www.alzfdn.org/tour. Advance registration is highly recommended.

“Knowledge is a useful and powerful tool that can help make any situation easier to navigate, especially something as challenging as caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Connecting families with useful, practical information and support that can help them now and be better prepared for the future is what this conference is all about. Whether Alzheimer’s is affecting your family, you are a caregiver or just want to learn more about brain health, we invite you to join us on June 11.”

Sessions during the AFA conference will include: Alzheimer’s Disease: What’s Good for the Body is Good for the Brain; Breaking Barriers: Creating Better Care and More Choices for Families with Dementia; Building Community Supports for Caregivers; and Safeguarding Your Home After a Dementia Diagnosis

Free, confidential memory screenings will be conducted throughout the day.

For more information or to register for the June 11 conference in Portland, visit www.alzfdn.org/tour. Those who cannot participate in the conference or have immediate questions about Alzheimer’s disease can connect with licensed social workers seven days a week through AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline by calling 866-232-8484, texting 646-586-5283, or web chatting at www.alzfdn.org by clicking the blue and white chat icon in the right-hand corner of the page. The web chat and text message features are available in more than 90 languages.

ShineOnCass Foundation 2025 scholarship recipients

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The ShineOnCass Foundation recently presented scholarships, totaling $5,000, to two local seniors who make service and kindness part of their everyday life.

Olivia Farag

The 10th Annual ShineOnCass Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Cassidy Jean Charette, was presented to Olivia Farag, of Sidney. Farag will receive a $4,000 scholarship to Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, where she will major in Government and Legal Studies. The ShineOnCass Memorial Scholarship was first started by Charette’s Messlaonskee Class of 2016, and awards graduating seniors of Messa­lonskee High School. Funding is dispersed annually after recipients demonstrate completion of 20 hours of service work each year.

Maeve Wilcox

The 2nd Annual ShineOnCass Community Scholarship, created to recognize service-focused seniors living, in Winslow, Waterville, Lawrence, or Messalonskee school districts, was awarded to Maeve Wilcox, of Waterville, a graduate of Waterville Senior High School. Maeve receives a $1,000 scholarship to Roger Williams University, in Bristol, Rhode Island, where she plans to study Biology and Environmental Science.

Both scholarships were created in honor and memory of Cassidy Charette, a lifelong volunteer in the central Maine community and former Messalonskee student who died in a hayride accident in 2014. The ShineOnCass Foundation awards $10,000 in local scholarships every year supporting higher education, aspiring young violinists, youth soccer, children attending summer farm camps, and other awards recognizing youth service and kindness.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities offered by the ShineOnCass Foundation, visit shineoncass.org.

Memorial Day: A remembrance of why freedom is not free

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Flag Placing Day, left to right, Assistant Scoutmaster Millard Davis, Russell Lawler, Ashish Dabas, Parker Small, Violet Haigis, Falyn Soucy, Ashlin McDermmott, Senior Patrol Leader Allison Dorr, Ryder Small Jr., Assistant Scoutmaster Addison Poulin, Scoutmaster Chris Bernier. (photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Scouting America teaches young boys and girls many great values. One of the more important lessons in Scouting is Duty to God and country. The youth of Troop #433 and Cub Scout Pack #445- both from Winslow- certainly fulfilled that lesson on Friday May 23rd as they helped American Legion Post 5 in Waterville place just under 1000 US Flags at St. Francis and Oak Grove Cemetery in Waterville Maine upon the graves of veterans.

(photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

The day was heavy overcast with off and on drips of rain. Troop #433 and Pack #445 arrived at 4 p.m. Commander Craig Bailey of American Legion Post #5 was waiting with several totes of American flags to be placed out at the graves of deceased veterans. The Scouts eagerly took handfuls of flags and set out to various parts of the cemetery. They worked each row looking for foot markers showing military service time. “It’s unfortunate, we know there are several hundred more veterans in this cemetery who do not have military foot makers. This makes finding every single service member hard, but we do the best we can to find them all,” said Commander Craig Bailey.

The Scouts worked until 6:30 p.m., when they ran out of US flags. The Scouts then gathered for a brief photograph before departing. “We teach citizenship as one of the more important life lessons in Troop #433,” said Chris Bernier, Scoutmaster for Troop #433. “I personally believe that Memorial Day and Veterans Day are two of the more important days to remember. Showing our Scouts that we must remember and reflect on why they live in a free country is very important to me as it was taught to me by my Scoutmasters when I was a Scout.”

On May 26, Memorial Day, Troop #433 and Pack #445 returned to St. Francis Cemetery to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony hosted by American Legion Post #5. In attendance were members of the Waterville Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus, the Waterville VFW post #1285, the Winslow VFW Post #8835. The ceremony commenced at 9:00 a.m., led by Commander Craig Bailey. The ceremony spoke of the sacrifices of all veterans during times of war. Commander Brandon Curtis of the Winslow VFW spoke about how our freedom is not free noting that there were thousands of soldiers who did not come back from war but instead paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms so we could live in a world where can vote for whom we wish in our elections; we can speak freely when we wish; we can also have differences of opinions and beliefs but still be neighbors. All of these freedoms have been protected by those who served in times of war.

The ceremony concluded with the sound of “Taps” being played by Nathanael Batson, a trumpet player and Eagle Scout from Fairfield, Maine. Shortly afterwars Commander Craig had a short departing prayer and everyone dispersed quietly.
Veterans. If you wish to join the American legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars please go to www.legion.org , www.vfw.org

Youth can join Scouting at www.beascout.scouting.org Or contact Chris Bernier at circleofone555@hotmail.com.

(photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

PHOTO: Alewives galore!

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To celebrate their last session together this week, a group of students enrolled in Kate Coseo’s Environmental Science class took a trip to the Olde Mill, in Vassalboro, to admire the alewives that are making their journey upstream through the Kennebec. Pictured from left to right, Kat Mitchell, Cassie Flye, Delia Billings and Stasha Wells observing the many fish within Outlet Stream. (contributed photo)

Northern Light Inland Hospital ends clinical services

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On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, Northern Light Inland Hospital and clinical services ended. The facility, associated services, and most practices have been winding down services and working to transition patients to new care locations since announcing the closure earlier this year.

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025:

• The emergency department stopped accepting new patients at noon.
• All clinical services ended.

The following practices will remain open to serve patients and the community:

• Northern Light Primary Care, Unity, as part of Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital
• Northern Light Walk-In Care, Waterville, as part of Northern Light Mercy Hospital
• Northern Light Primary Care, Madison, as a practice of Redington-Fairview General Hospital.

Many providers will continue to offer care in Waterville and the surrounding area at new practice locations, and many current patients can choose to continue care with their current provider. Letters have been mailed to established patients of closing practices advising on any action needed to continue care with their current provider or to transition care to a new provider/practice.

As a reminder, this closure does not affect Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood, which operates as a separate entity in Waterville.

Additional information about the closure, answers to frequently asked questions, and up to date information about providers, can be found at NorthernLightHealth.org/InlandNotice.

Launching trilogy at 91 years old

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Jean Ann Pollard

Launching a trilogy of mystery novels at the age of 91 would be too daring for many authors. But for Winslow resident Jean Ann Pollard, it’s just the latest in a lifetime of artistic and authorial adventures.

Crone’s Class, released in March, is the first in a series of whodunits that Pollard is writing: The Crone Chronicles. The main character who’s solving those mysteries? A self-described “old lady” who goes by the nickname “Crone.”

Pollard has written nonfiction books, children’s books, cookbooks, dozens of short stories and hundreds of poems and nonfiction articles in her lifetime, including publishing her first book in 1973. She’s also an accomplished artist, perhaps best known for her series of paintings, Earth: Love It or Lose It, focusing on environmental conservation and climate action.

Pollard was born in Waterville and raised in Winslow, but as an adult she trotted the globe, living in California, Bermuda and Libya (plus visiting — and misadventuring in — several other countries) before returning to Winslow with husband Peter Garrett. She earned a degree at Boston University, took courses in biology and geology at Colby College, raised two children, taught art and writing classes for all ages, and held numerous gallery showings of her art. All of those life experiences now help her create the fictional world of Crone’s Cottage, including the decision to center the story around a woman close to her own age.

Pollard continues to write full time and has plans for several more novels aside from the Crone Chronicles trilogy. At 91, she believes age is no reason to stop creating and exploring in life. Her “Crone” feels much the same way.

“She’s thumbing her nose at anyone who believes that being old and female means being ‘weird and witchlike,'” Pollard said of her main character.

Joined by a cast of colorful characters, Crone must solve two murders at her local college, set in Maine, and make sure that her friend doesn’t get framed for the crimes. Readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow the investigation to its shocking conclusion.

Crone’s Class is published by Page Publishing. Readers can purchase the novel and future books in the Crone Chronicles trilogy through their local booksellers or online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or on the iTunes or Google Play stores.