China School Forest work day set for May 8

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A couple of the work projects needed at the forest. (photo courtesy of Anita Smith)

A work day has been scheduled at the China School Forest on Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., and will be rain or shine. They will meet at the China Primary School bus circle. People can come for as long as they want. There are many different tasks for all skill levels, from sweeping outdoor classroom spaces, repairing wooden structures, cutting fallen trees to clear trails, hauling branches and more.

(photo courtesy of Anita Smith)

If people have sturdy rakes, shovels, chainsaws, handsaws and power drills with batteries, please bring them. The tasks are spread out around the forest, so social distancing needs can be met.

The trails are getting a lot of use and it would be great to have the community work together to keep them in good shape.

Anita Smith can be messaged at chinaschoolsforest@gmail.com if people have questions or to have their name added to the volunteer list.

“Sadly, we’ve had some more issues with (minor) vandalism and some graffiti, so trail cameras have been added to help monitor the area,” said Smith. If visitors see damage, they can contact the town office but since volunteers care for the space, it may take time to find someone to help make repairs.

Tasks include:

  • Repair broken boards on bridge and compass table (bring power drill and hand saw). Repair arbor at the Gathering Place (bring power drill).
  • Cut fallen trees to clear North Loop trail (volunteers need to bring chainsaws). Clean branches and leaves off trails (bring sturdy rakes).
  • Sweep outdoor classroom areas of pine needles and small branches (we have brooms).
  • Remove old boards with nails and take to transfer station (need steel-plate boots, truck and heavy gloves).
  • Dig small plunge pool to divert water from flooding the trail (bring shovels).
  • Cut felled trees into firewood for community (bring chainsaw). Restack cord of wood at Wood Measurement area.
  • Build a simple lean-to at the Geology station (let us know asap, so we can discuss the plan and order materials). Move cut log stools to outdoor classroom areas (needs an ATV and wagon).
  • Smooth ruts in trails (bring shovels andsturdy rakes).
  • Build simple bog bridge over wet area on trail. (bring hammers).
  • Chip branches into wood chips (bring wood chippers).
  • Polyseal wood animal cut-outs (we have materials for this).

Victor Grange to host drive-thru supper

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Victor Grange in Fairfield (photo: facebook.com/victorgrangefairfield)

Victor Grange #56, in Fairfield Center, hosts a drive-through supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 24. The meal includes baked beans and hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, rolls or biscuits, desserts and (non-alcoholic) drinks. Cost is $10 per meal, with proceedings to be used for work on the Grange Hall.

Children’s book author Jeanine Deas to hold book signing

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Jeanine Deas

Local children’s book author Jeanine Deas will be signing copies of her new book, Twinkle, Twinkle, Where You Are at an appearance at Retail Therapy Consignment Boutique, 270 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Masks, social-distancing, and a limited number of customers at any given time will be required. Personally-signed copies of Twinkle, Twinkle Where You Are and the author’s previous book, Anna’s Little Buddy, will be available for $10 each.

“Twinkle, Twinkle, Where You Are is about love and longing,” Jeanine Deas says. “During COVID – and after that – it offers a magical way for children (and adults) to endure times of isolation and separation from family and friends. My desire is that readers will come to understand that when distance, time, or even death separate us physically from those we love, we are always connected through the ever-present energy of our relationship. It’s the ‘TWINKLE’ that gives us hope.”

For more information, please call (207) 213-4600.

Soup & Biscuit fundraiser coming to Winslow Congregational Church

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photo by Paul Cooper

Get ready to enjoy a “soup-er” flavorful take-out lunch, brimming with your choice of mouth-watering soup, a homemade biscuit, and cookies! On Saturday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Winslow Congregational Church (12 Lithgow Street) will be offering these delectable lunchtime meals for drive-through/to-go pick-up. Cost is a donation of $5 per soup lunch, with all proceeds going to the Christian/humanitarian work of the church, and for building improvements and repairs.

Among the wide variety of savory soups available will be turkey, chicken, corn chowder, fish chowder, beef vegetable, beef stew, split pea with ham, and veggie/vegan. Each soup lunch will also feature a wonderful homemade biscuit and chocolate chip or snickerdoodle cookies.

Due to the pandemic, health experts advise that you wear a mask when going through a drive-through.

For more information, please call Winslow Congregational Church at 207-872-2544.

Town of Vassalboro 250th Anniversary Commemoration

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Vassalboro Historical Society

The town of Vassalboro will begin the celebration of the town’s 250th anniversary on Monday, April 26, 10:30 a.m., at the Monument Park re-dedication. The schedule follows:

Opening Ceremony

  • American Legion Post 126 Chaplain prayer – James Kilbride;
  • Perspectives on 1771, Patsy Crockett, President, Kennebec Historical Society;
  • Monument Park, historical focal point, Jan Clowes, President, Vassalboro Historical Society;
  • The names on the monument, Lauchlin Titus, Vassalboro civic leader;
  • Recognition of Monument Park restoration work, John Melrose, Vassalboro Select Board Chairman.

Monument Park and the Vassalboro Historical Society, is located on Route 32, East Vassalboro. There will be a 100 person open air Covid limit. Masks are required.

Vidalia onions returning as Palermo community center fundraiser

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by ryan griffis – originally posted to Flickr as Vidalia Onions, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link

Covid may have cancelled last year’s fundraiser, but the Palermo Community Center is back in action, selling 25-pound boxes of fresh, sweet Vidalia onions from Georgia. They are still ripening, but are expected to arrive in Maine the week of May 10. The boxes cost $27 each, even though shipping costs have gone up, so this is the last time they will be offered at this price.

To order, please call Connie at 993-2294 or email pwhitehawk@fairpoint.net. Please be sure to leave your contact phone number, so you may be contacted for confirmation or a call when the onions are unloaded at the Palermo Community Center. Payment is needed at the time of the order, so please make the check out to “LCF” and address your envelope to: Living Communities Foundation, P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. Orders and payment must be received by April 25.

Proceeds from the sale pay ongoing utilities and maintenance costs for the Community Center, which also hosts the Palermo Food Pantry. Your support is truly appreciated.

Winslow Public Library re-opening to public April 1, 2021

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Winslow Public Library

The Winslow Public Library will reopen to public entry on Thursday, April 1, 2021. Controlled admittance to the library will be allowed on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Curbside pick-up services are provided on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The library is closed on the weekends.

A capacity limit has been set to five patrons in the building at one time.

Patrons must wear masks to be admitted to the building.

  • Anyone entering the library must be wearing CDC approved Face coverings.
  • No bandanas or half-shields and the nose and mouth must be covered by the mask.
  • Masks must keep it on all times while a patron is in the library.
  • Materials must be returned via the drop-box before entering the building.
  • Patrons are limited to 45-minutes in the library to reduce exposure.
  • Public computers are available for 35-minutes per person.

The below COVID health screening questions will be asked before entry is permitted; an answer of “Yes “to any of the questions will result in denial of entry to the building.

Have you exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days?

Have you been exposed to a person exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days?

No entry will be permitted without a CDC approved face covering (bandanas and chin shields are not approved coverings). If the customer does not have a mask one will be provided.

Social distancing measures remain in effect.

All patrons will enter and exit the building using the entrance door on their left. Customers are asked not to allow anyone to enter as they exit, and to make sure the door closes behind them.

For more information, please contact Winslow Public Library at 207-872-1978.

Unity VFD to host bake sale

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The Unity Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a bake sale on Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Cone’z on Depot Street, in Unity. This fundraiser will feature homemade pies, cakes, cookies, bars, breads, rolls and dog biscuits. Stop by and pick out your Easter treats.

Central Church to host free egg hunt kits give-away

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The Central Church is hosting a free egg hunt kit giveaway in the China Town Office parking lot. This event is hosted via drive-thru. Please enter through the Alder Park Road entrance.

These kits will have eggs, candy, and some goodies for you to host your own egg hunt for your family. Boxes can be picked up Saturday, March 27, between 10 a.m. and noon. For more information visit www.centralchurch.me/events.

The town office will remain open for normal business hours that day.

China youth baseball, softball, T-ball registrations being taken

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Internet photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brendan-c/5722220187

The China T-ball and coach pitch baseball, for children ages eight and under has returned. For more information contact chinarecsports@gmail.com.

Also, through the Dirigo Softball League, they are able to offer softball for youths in first grade and up. For more information, email dirigosoftballleague@gmail.com.

Little League baseball will be offered through the Augusta Little League, for ages eight years old and up. For more information, visit the Augusta Little League webpage. Deadline is March 31.

T-Mobile has a grant program available to help with registration costs. The T-Mobile Little League Call Up Grant Program is dedicated to helping families in need by covering registration fees associated with their local Little League programs.

Dates to remember: March 31, registration closes; April 7, last payment receipt date; April 6, coaches meeting and selection; April 17, field clean up; May 1, bottle drive; May 15, picture day and pitch, hit and run.