EVENTS: January history talk at Waterville Historical Society on Fort Halifax

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Fort Halifax, in Winslow.

Friends of Fort Halifax President, Ray Caron, is back by popular demand for the Saturday, January 11, history talk. When one thinks of Winslow and its defining history, few would not mention Fort Halifax. But what do we know about its history? The blockhouse is the oldest in the United States and the site is a National Historic Landmark. Ray is going to get into the details and tell us much more we may not know about this iconic structure and the larger fort which once existed. Passionate about area history, Ray will also cover topics about the lands at the confluence of the Sebasticook and Kennebec rivers, the Native Americans, early settlers, Benedict Arnold, and more.

Joining Ray, to add additional perspectives to his presentation, will be Peter Tompkins who has an extensive postcard and memorabilia collection about Fort Halifax; Mickey Pouliot, a Winslow contractor, who has worked on most structures at the park and has helped with the challenges of rebuilding the blockhouse; Fort Halifax Chapter, DAR members will speak about their previous ownership of the blockhouse for many decades; and Mike Heavener, former town manager, of Winslow, who was responsible for the successful grant award to transform the park to what it is today.

Share this announcement; bring a friend! The door opens at 2 p.m., for light refreshments, viewing of postcards and memorabilia, and socializing. Our presentation begins at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. Snow date is January 18, same time and place, Marriner Hall at Redington Museum, 62 Silver Street, Waterville. For more information, please call 207-872-9439.

EVENTS: Norridgewock select board meetings rescheduled

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Norridgewock Select Board’s regular meetings for January 2025 will be Wednesday, January 8 and 22, 2025, 6 p.m., at the Norridgewock Town Office. The regular meeting schedule of the first and third Wednesdays of each month will resume in February. Meeting agenda are posted at the Town Office and online at www.norridgewock.gov.

EVENTS: Waterville Area Soup Kitchen to hold fundraiser

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Waterville Area Soup Kitchen will be holding its first fundraiser on Thursday, March 20, at the Elks Club, on Industrial Street, in Waterville. The event is a tropical themed winter getaway. The doors will open at 5 p.m.

The soup kitchen is open five days a week. Alight breakfast is provided in the morning and a hot lunch at noon time.

In 2024, the soup kitchen served over 80,000 meals.

The evening will include door prizes, appetizers and a cash back, entertainment, 50/50 drawing and live and silent auction.

For more information, and ticket information, email Info@WatervilleAreaSoupKitchen.org.

EVENTS: Blue Christmas ceremony shines light

/0 Comments/in , /by

The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 4th Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends, and those who support them, Saturday, December 21, at sunset, starting at 4 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year. Blue Christmas will feature music, speakers, and a reading of submitted names of loved ones’ lost and the lighting of memorial blue candles.

Blue Christmas ceremonies are held around the world in acknowledgement that the holiday season can be especially challenging for many who are grieving.

“Many people are acquainted with the paradox of the holiday season – a time when celebrations of peace and joy contrast sharply with the sadness and loneliness that come with loss,” said Monica Charette, founder and executive director of the ShineOnCass Foundation. “Our hope is to bring people together, both bereaved families and individuals, and those who can support them, to offer a comforting space where everyone feels less alone.”

In addition to the blue light ceremony, the evening will also feature music by local musician Will McPherson and the return of award-winning country recording artist Joan Kennedy, and her daughter Grace, who will perform “Candle in the Window” and other selections. The event is free of charge.

Charette said the idea to host a community Blue Christmas Ceremony came from a gathering organized by her friends after the passing of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette 10 years ago. Cass, for whom the ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor, was a Messalonskee High School student and longtime community volunteer, who died in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

Anyone can participate in the Blue Christmas Ceremony by sharing their loved ones’ names being remembered and receive a blue candle to light at the ceremony. People are also welcome to attend in silent remembrance and offer support to others. To complete the online form, visit Blue Christmas on the Foundation’s website at shineoncass.org. Deadline to submit names is Friday, December 20. To participate via livestream, follow the ShineOnCass Facebook page. In case of inclement weather, Blue Christmas will be held one day later, on Sunday, December 22.

For additional grief support, Charette and her son, Colby, co-host “Holding the Light” Podcast, which includes monthly interviews with bereaved families. This month’s episode “Grief Doesn’t Take a Holiday” will provide tips for surviving the season with support group facilitator Sarah Kilch Gaffney. For more information, visit shineoncass.org.

EVENTS: China planning board meeting canceled

/0 Comments/in , , /by
by Mary Grow

The China Planning Board meeting and public hearing scheduled for Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, were canceled due to weather conditions.

The two main agenda items were a public hearing and application review for a proposed retail store at 363 Route 3, in South China, and review of the town’s application for an earth-moving permit for work on Town Landing Road, in South China Village.

Board members held a public hearing on the Town Landing Road at their Nov. 26 meeting (see the Dec. 5 issue of The Town Line, p. 2).

The next planning board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening, Jan. 14, 2025.

EVENTS: Yummy, Ready-to-Be-Baked turkey pies coming Dec. 7

/0 Comments/in , /by

It’s one of Winslow’s most beloved holiday traditions! On Saturday, December 7, from noon to 3 p.m., Winslow Congregational Church (12 Lithgow Street) will be offering over 400 incredibly yummy, ready-to-be-baked turkey pies for sale. The cost is $15 per pie (2 for $25), with all proceeds going to empower the Christian/humanitarian work of the church, and for building improvements and repairs.

Freshly-prepared for baking and featuring an all-new crust recipe and a mouth-watering blend of turkey, peas, celery, carrots, onions, broth, and a pinch of sage, each turkey pie will be perfect for supper or for freezing for later winter comfort-food enjoyment.

Also available for your sweet tooth will be various delectable dessert pies, also available for $15 each, prepared by the members of Benton Falls Congregational Church and which will raise money for that church.

For more information, please call Winslow Congregational Church at 872-2544.

EVENTS: Maine-ly Harmony presents Christmas concert

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Front row, from left to right, Judy Labonte, Jennifer Clair, Betty Avery, Martha Tait, Lynn Izzi, Kathy Joyce, Lea Davis, and Barbara Combs. Second row, Martha Bangs, Peg Dubrow, Candace Pepin, Janet Dunham, LouAnne Mossler, Donna Ryder, Dotti Meyer. Third row, Lynn Rogers, Danielle Bolouc, BJ Sylvester-Pellett, Cathy Anderson, Nancy Bossie, Sue Staples, and Director Kathy Greason. (contributed photo)

Join the Maine-ly Harmony Chorus Sunday, December 8, at 2 p.m., at the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church, 35 Highland Avenue, Gardiner, for the Songs of the Season – your favorite Christmas songs, including a silent auction, refreshments and a special appearance from Jolly Ole St. Nick! A donation of $15 is accepted at the door.

PHOTOS: Parade of Lights: Another spectacular event

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

The Parade of Lights, in downtown Waterville, kicked off the holiday season on November 30. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Santa Claus arrived in downtown Waterville during the Parade of Lights. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Winslow Fire/Rescue deputy chief’s wife, Heidi Murphy, and Engine 7 driver’s dog Bobby during the parade. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

(photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

Vassalboro Legion gathering personal care products for VA Veterans Home

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

St. Bridget’s Communtity Center. (photos courtesy of Victor Esposito)

During the holiday season for the last three years, members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, gathered personal care products, puzzle books, and snacks for veterans at Togus Veterans Home, in Augusta. With the support of various organizations and individuals this has been an amazing display of generosity and thanks to our veterans.

The members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, are inviting you to join them as they collect personal care products, snacks, puzzle books, etc., for this project. Once again, the Sew for a Cause group at St. Bridget Center has made and donated more than 250 Christmas stocking for this project. They will fill the stockings on December 9, 2024, at St. Bridget Center, 864 Main St., North Vassalboro. All are welcome to sort and fill the stockings. The filled stockings will be delivered to Togus Veterans Home by December 12, 2024.

Your support and donation are needed to meet the goal. For more information, to volunteer and/or make a donation, call 207-616-3148.

EVENTS: VHS to conduct Christmas through the Ages

/0 Comments/in , /by

What a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas through the Ages. This wonderful fundraiser has been used by a variety of Maine historical societies and now the Vassalboro Historical Society is hosting, along with three local homes and two other organizations. Learn about the different times and how they celebrated Christmas.

Each ticket is only $20 and promises to be a wonderful experience. Purchase at the Vassalboro Historical Society or follow the Find Tickets link to purchase online (exact start time will be provided once ticket is purchased). Each tour will begin at the VHS Museum, 327 Main Street, and progress at 25 minute intervals. A complete tour will last about two and a half hours. The first tour begins at 10:00 a.m. and the final begins at 12:50 p.m.

Contact the Vassalboro Historical Society at (207) 923-3505 or vhspresident@gmail.com to purchase tickets or for more information.