EVENTS: China planning board meeting canceled

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

L.C. Bates Natural History Museum closed for winter

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Good Will-Hinckley’s L.C. Bates Natural History Museum (photo credit: https://www.gwh.org/)

The L.C. Bates Natural History Museum at Good Will-Hinckley is now closed to the public for the winter season. During this time, tours and group admissions are available by appointment only.

The museum is also thrilled to bring its engaging educational programming directly to you! Schools, libraries, community centers, youth groups, and other organizations can schedule on-site programs featuring fascinating natural science topics and unique artifacts. To arrange a visit, please call (207) 238-4250.

Save the Date: Museum Store Sunday

Join us on December 1, 2024, from noon to 5 p.m. for Museum Store Sunday! Both the museum and store will be open, offering a curated selection of nature-inspired gifts, fossils, jewelry, and educational toys—perfect for holiday shopping.

Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly as the museum may be seasonably cold. A complimentary hot chocolate bar will be available to keep you cozy while you browse. Proceeds from all purchases will directly support the museum’s educational programs.

For more information about the L.C. Bates Natural History Museum, booking educational programs, or Museum Store Sunday, please contact them at (207) 238-4250,
Website: www.gwh.org/programs/lc-bates-museum. Donate to the Museum Here: https://bit.ly/GWHdonate.

EVENTS: Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30

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Small Business Saturday is this coming Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2024. Are you interested in writing a story on the holiday shopping season or want to arrange an interview with a small business advocate in the area? The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business association, is here to help. NFIB State Director David Clough is available to discuss the importance of Small Business Saturday to the local economy and how shopping small benefits consumers, employees, and business owners alike.

NFIB State Director David Clough can be reached at (207) 807-4900, and you can contact Senior Media Manager Mike Donohue at (202) 525-9835.

“In addition to creating good-paying jobs and strengthening the local economy, small businesses shape our communities by volunteering their time and financially supporting charitable organizations,” said Clough. “A recent NFIB report highlights how small business owners and their employees benefit their communities, beyond operating their businesses. As we kick off the holiday season, I encourage all Mainers to shop small, especially on Small Business Saturday, and thank a small business owner for how they enrich your community.”

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday began in 2010 as a way to help local stores and restaurants recover from the Great Recession. It has quickly transformed into a Thanksgiving weekend tradition, becoming one of the busiest sales seasons for small business owners nationwide.

EVENTS: China flag retirement ceremony set for Dec. 5

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by Mary Grow

A flag retirement ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Boynton-Webber American Legion Hall, in South China. Transfer station safety officer Cheyenne Houle said it will honor the more than 300 worn-out United States flags that have been left in the flag disposal boxes provided at the transfer station, plus others from Boy Scouts and other local groups.

The event is open to the public. Anyone with a worn-out or damaged flag is welcome to bring it to be added to the ceremony, Post Commander Neil Farrington said.

An on-line document from the National Flag Foundation describes a typical procedure for this ceremony, which honors the used flags. One is selected as representative of all: it is hoisted to the top of a flagpole by a color guard, saluted by the audience, who then recite the pledge of allegiance; and respectfully lowered and folded.

The best-known way to dispose of used flags is by burning them and burying the ashes. Farrington said the Dec. 5 ceremony will use an alternate method, cutting flags in half vertically and again horizontally, without damaging the block of 50 stars. The pieces are returned to the transfer station.

EVENTS: Benefit holiday online auction open to all

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Eileen Ronco, left, and Cindy Shorey holding two of the 14 Boyd’s Bears available during a 10-day online auction to benefit Vassalboro United Methodist Church. (contributed photo)

A 10-day holiday season online auction starts on Black Friday to benefit the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) beginning Friday, November 29, at 8 a.m. through Monday, December 9, at 8 a.m. Browse more than 130 items and place bids from the warmth and comfort of your home at ANY time of the day or night during those ten days. The option to “buy now” is included with each item or place bids instead.

A wide variety of entries are being donated and added daily. Some include an overnight at the Iron Fence Inn; a queen size homemade quilt; a microwave, a linkable two-piece slow cooker and a food dehydrator all like new; designer purses by Chanel, Louise Vuitton and Vera Bradley; an Ashton-Drake baby doll and six outfits; a Derby silver tea set; several pieces from a Lang & Wise Colonial Williamsburg Christmas village; Boyd’s bears; books, games and toys; a realistic children’s kitchen set with accessories; medical equipment; books, puzzles and games; new infant sweaters and a fleece coat and pants set; glass paperweights; corning ware and Pfaltzgraff dishes; an eight place setting of stoneware; a Stansport backpack; a Knight golf bag; gift certificates to several local businesses including restaurants, a golf course, car service centers and so much more!

Proceeds from this auction will benefit the VUMC building fund. FMI about the auction visit Vassalboro United Methodist Church on Facebook; call or text (207) 441-9184 or email crossings4u@gmail.com. To browse and bid visit https://new.biddingowl.com/VassalboroUMC.