Petersen earns degree from University of Vermont
Melissa Petersen of Augusta, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology during commencement ceremonies on May 21, 2017, at the University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vermont.
Students named to the U. of Vermont dean’s list
The following local students have been named to the University of Vermont dean’s list, in Burlington, Vermont:
Delaney Curran; of Skowhegan; Kaitlyn Sutter, of Palermo; and Kayla Christopher, of Oakland.
Scavenger hunt in Vassalboro
Vassalboro Days is adding a Scavenger Hunt this year to the events planned for Saturday, September 9. Gather together a group of family and friends to make your Scavenger Team. The use of a cell phone to capture pictures is encouraged to record that your team members have scavenged and found all of the places and things that the organizers have placed on the list.
There is no cost to play! Teams will report to the Vassalboro Business Association booth Saturday morning, from 10-11 a.m., to obtain the Scavenger Hunt list. Teams will have until 5 p.m. Saturday to report back with their completed list of 20 sites or objects that they have scavenged in Vassalboro over the course of the day.
The point system will be moderately complicated (in a fun way!). Points will be given for the number of people in your team. Judges will award points for both style, and a demonstration of having fun which contestants will convey with their pictures. A bus will be available at 2 p.m. to take team members (children must be accompanied by an adult) to sites that are outside of the village areas. Prizes will be three $25 awards and a Ducky Derby Hat for all team members. Call Lauchlin Titus, 207 314-2655 with questions or for more details.
UNITY: UniTel receives prestigious award
From left to right, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA, Laurie Osgood, CEO of UniTel, and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel after UniTel was presented with the Smart Rural Community Award during a ceremony in Unity. Contributed photo
Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association, visited UniTel this month to formally present the Unity-based telecommunications company with its Smart Rural Community award. Bloomfield, joined by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and U.S. Senator Angus King, presented the award in front of an audience at the Unity College Center for the Performing Arts, before a listening session on improving broadband infrastructure.
“Historically enjoying Maine’s quality of life has come at a price,” said Laurie Osgood, CEO of UniTel. “Now technology has changed so much that it is possible to do the work traditionally performed in the big city from the most rural parts of Maine. Our role is to make sure that our infrastructure can support anyone who wants to live and work here. The leadership of Senator King and FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel has been vital in realizing the goals of closing the digital divide. The Smart Rural Community designation is a direct reflection of our team’s hard work. We live and work in these rural communities, so this award means a lot to us.”
UniTel received word nearly a year ago that it had earned the designation as a Smart Rural Community. Such a designation put the Maine-based company in an elite class with other broadband providers in rural areas. The Smart Rural Community designation was only awarded to eleven other companies nationally, and UniTel is the first Maine-based company to receive the award.
The 2016 Smart Rural Community award follows UniTel’s construction of nearly 100 miles of its Bluestreak fiber to the home (FTTH) network in its service area and beginning late last year in downtown Belfast. Other selection criterial of note included UniTel’s lead role in promoting and sponsoring free digital literacy training in the areas it serves. This is the second national award received by UniTel in as many years for its efforts to expand access to broadband in rural Maine.
“A broadband connection is more than a technology – it’s a platform for opportunity,” said Commissioner Rosenworcel. “No matter who you are or where you live, you need access to modern communications to have a fair shot at 21st century success.”
“Reliable rural broadband access is essential to strengthen and diversify Maine’s economy,” said Senator King. “Rural broadband can help entrepreneurs grow their business, enable farmers to practice precision agriculture and access new markets, and help students learn in an expanding digital world.”
Richardson earns Eagle Scout status
Caleb Richardson, right, 17, a junior at Cony High School, in Augusta, and parents Stephen and Toni Richardson along with many friends, dedicated his eagle scout project to the late Taylor Harmon, on August 27. Harmon was a dedicated Cony High School cross country and track coach for many years. Caleb said, “He was a man who helped athletes use running as a bridge to reach their future goals.” The ribbon cutting ceremony was done by Harmon’s widow, Ms. Rebecca Harmon, above, for whom the bridge is dedicated, and also received a bouquet of roses from Caleb. Boy Scout Troop #603 is proudly sponsored by American Legion Post #205, of Augusta. Right photo, Caleb’s Eagle Scout project.
Contributed photos
CHINA: Planners OK storage facility
by Mary Grow
At their Aug. 22 meeting, China Planning Board members unanimously approved Troy Bulmer’s application to turn a large garage on his property at 151 Dirigo Road into a storage facility for motorcycles, jet-skis, boats and similar seasonal motorized items.
His plan, Bulmer told board members, is that people will bring in their equipment in the fall, remove batteries and go away until spring. He plans no additional outside lighting, new construction or other external changes.
Board members voted unanimously that no public hearing was needed, given the distance from neighbors’ property, lack of external changes and minimal impact on traffic on Dirigo Road. They found Bulmer’s plan met all ordinance criteria.
The only reservation was about fire protection for the apartment on the second floor, which Bulmer said is occupied. Board members considered requiring changes, like additional insulation above the garage. Ultimately, they left it to Codes Officer Paul Mitnik to determine what, if anything, Bulmer needs to do.
Mitnik said under the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC), he must issue a certificate of occupancy, for which he needs to inspect the property.
Bulmer said if he is required to do extensive rebuilding he’ll abandon the project. After the discussion of Bulmer’s project, board members turned again to review of town land use ordinances, in which Mitnik has discovered inconsistencies and gaps. Board Chairman James Wilkens’ offer to draft clarifications of the first few definitions, as needed, and bring them to the Sept. 12 board meeting was accepted.
Mitnik expects at least two applications will be on the Sept. 12 agenda.
Sheepscot Lake residents concerned over reintroduction of lampreys
Many Palermo residents voiced their concerns about the reintroduction of lamprey in Sheepscot Lake during the annual town meeting recently. Contributed photos
Testimonial by Peter Majeski
I would like to bring you back to what will be our future if lamprey become reestablished in Sheepscot Lake. I began fishing in Sheepscot in 1981, primarily for landlocked salmon and togue. In 1986, after five years of fishing, I began to keep a Personal Fishing Record which was submitted to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife each year. On February 16, 1986, I made the following entry in the booklet after catching an 18-inch togue: “The togue did not have any lamprey marks which is uncommon in this lake. It had no fins clipped that I noticed and was in excellent health and very lively.”During my previous five years of fishing, the majority of the landlocked salmon and togue that I caught were scarred by lamprey, often multiple times. Most of these wounds did not seem to be completely healed. Often, the wounds seemed fresh. Sometimes the lamprey was still attached to the fish when brought to the boat.
Peter Majeski displaying a couple of his catches following the controlling of lampreys in Sheepscot Lake.
On that February day in 1986, the togue was unmarked. This fact was so unusual that I made a special entry in the diary. Of equal importance is my statement that the fish was in excellent health and very lively. This differs from the lamprey marked fish which typically were not as lively. The wounds on the fish were not a pretty sight. Imagine a 6-inch long lamprey attached to a 12-14 inch salmon.
In the late 1980s, my next door neighbor complained of being bitten while swimming. At first, I did not believe her. Over the years, I have been swimming in about 10 lakes throughout Maine and have never been attacked by a fish. However, a couple of days later I was bitten while swimming in the evening. I swished off the fish. After leaving the water, I inspected the mark on my body which was oblong-shaped and about 1.0 – 1.5 inches long. It looked like the wounds that I saw on countless occasions on the salmon and togue that I caught. I looked at the wound on my neighbor. Her wound was similar but appeared deeper, possibly even breaking the skin. At that point, I was a believer. Lampreys do bite people.
The re-introduction of lamprey into Sheepscot Pond will result in a major environmental change. This re-introduction would again destroy the ecological balance and severely injure the existing fish population.
The Lake Report for Sheepscot Lake issued by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Game published in 1970 states, “The Department has recently initiated a program to prevent lamprey eels from entering Sheepscot Lake by closing the fishway each year in the outlet dam during the period of lamprey spawning migrations.” Twenty-two years later in 1992, the Department wrote, “A long term Department program to prevent lamprey eels from entering the lake by closing the fishway during their spawning migrations has met with some success.” In other words, this program was unsuccessful. Based upon my memory of a conversation with Dave Banton, of Palermo (now deceased), I believe that the migration of both lampreys and alewives was stopped downstream from Sheepscot Dam in order to control the lampreys.
Hours of Worship
HOURS of WORSHIP
[Baptist] [Non-denominational] [Methodist] [Quaker] [Multi-denominational] [Roman Catholic] [Maronite Catholic]
Baptist
China Baptist Church
Rev. Ron Morrell, Pastor – 968-2120
Sunday Morning worship 10:30 a.m.
Sunday School discussion 9 a.m.
Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, 9:30 a.m.
www.chinabaptist.org
First Baptist Church
Rev. Russell LaFlamme
1 Park St., Waterville
872-5741 • www.watervillefbc.org
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
North Windsor Baptist Church
955 Ridge Road, Windsor
Pastor Brian Casey – 445-2231
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship 10:45 a.m.
Sun. 6 p.m.; Wed. prayer 7 p.m.
Weeks Mills Baptist Church
13 Deer Hill Road
Pastor Charles Hibbard
Sunday worship 9:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
Prayer meeting Wed., 6 p.m.
Sunday School (Sept .- May) 10:45 a.m.
Grace Bible Church of Oakland
Pastor Donald Niles
333 Oak St., Oakland, ME – 465-2699
Sunday morning service, 10 a.m.
Generations of Grace Sunday School, all ages, 10 a.m.
Adult Bible Study and prayer
service, Sun., evening 5 p.m.
Youth ministries, ages Pre-K – high school, Sun. evening, 5 p.m.
www.GBCOakland.org
North Vassalboro Baptist Church
996 Main St., No. Vassalboro
Rev. Steve Rogers, pastor
242-3614
Sunday worship, 10 a.m.; Children’s 10:30 a.m.
Prayer & Bible Study, Wed., 7 p.m.
Non-denominational
Palermo Christian Church
322 Branch Mills Rd., Palermo
Sun. worship, 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Sunday School 10:30 a.m., Wed. Prayer 6 p.m.
FMI 993-2636 or see website
www.palermochristianchurch.org
Methodist
Fairfield United Methodist Church
Rte. 201, Fairfield • 453-7505
Pastor Chong Choi
www.fairfieldmethodist.com
Worship – 10:30 (Nursery)
Vassalboro United Methodist Church
Rte. 32, 614 Main St., Vassalboro
873-5564
Pastor F. Gary Hubley
Sunday Worship, 10 a.m.
Quaker
Vassalboro Friends Meeting
Stanley Hill Rd., E. Vassalboro
Singing 9:40 a.m.
Silent Worship 10-11 a.m.
Multi-denominational
South China Community Church
246 Village St., So. China – 445-4111
9 a.m. Sunday Schools (all ages)
10:00 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Fellowship
southchinacommunitychurch.org
Roman Catholic
Corpus Christi Parish
Office: 70 Pleasant St., Waterville
872-2281 – Rev. Daniel Baillargeon
NOTRE DAME CHURCH
116 Silver St., Waterville
Saturday Masses
4 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Sunday Masses
9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
ST. JOHN CHURCH,
26 Monument St., Winslow
Saturday Mass: 4 p.m.
Sunday Masses
7:30 a.m. & 10 a.m.
ST. HELENA CHAPEL
Belgrade Village
Sunday, 10 a.m. Mass
Maronite Catholic
St. Joseph Church
3 Appleton St., Waterville
207-872-8515 • Rev. Fr. James Doran
Sat. Mass: 4 p.m.; Sun. Mass: 10 a.m.
Tues. – Fri. 9 a.m., St. Jude Chapel
www.sjmaronite.org
To be included in the Hours of Worship for as little as $5 a week
call 445-2234 or visit our Contact page
China Days Local History Quiz 2017
China Days 2017
LOCAL HISTORY QUIZ (answers at the bottom)
- What word did Rufus say that made his father angry?
- What is the official name of the memorial park in South China village?
- Who bought the China poor farm?
- What did the first causeway bridge cost?
- Other than Erskine, what other high schools were built in China?
- Eli Jones was elected to State House. What did he refused to do?
- Who was the first Master of Masonic lodge in Weeks Mills?
- How deep is the water under the Clarks brook peat bog?
- In what year did the town property tax almost triple?
- What was the cost of school lunch in 1950?
- How much did an issue of “The China Egg” cost?
- Who wrote a poem for Eli and Sybil?
- Who was William Crane?
- What was the nickname given to the WW&F?
- What did the first Erskine Academy building cost?
- What year did the last GAR veteran die in South China?
- Where is the word “Loupcorvirs” found?
- Who was Eli Jones foster father?
- What killed James Parnell Jones?
- How long of a walk did Rufus take to attend high school?
- How long did it take the stage coach to go from Augusta to Bangor?
- When did Miss Doris Young start teaching?
- What was her weekly salary?
- In 1945 how may children went to the one room school house in Weeks Mills?
- Where was General Marshalls House?
- How old is the Weeks Mills water district?
- What did the Quakers pay to the Baptist for the South China church?
- Where was district 21 school house located?
- How old was James Parnell Jones when he joined the Union army?
- What year did China selectmen change from 3 to 5 members?
- How many chickens were commercial raised in 1960?
- How did Yorktown road get its name?
- What year was our population larger than Waterville?
- What year was Harlem incorporated and where did the name come from?
- Where was the boundary set between Harlem and China?
- Where did Mr. Shuman get his cider barrels?
- What year did Weeks Mills have it worse record flood?
- What year did the gore move to China?
- What mountain range was called The Kennebago mountain range?
- Which island had a dining hall and bowling alley?
- In 1960’s which two business men built stores on the Rt 3 bypass?
- Where was the town dump prior to its current location?
- What did Eli do when he was selected to become the state’s Major General?
- What was the only year that the town meeting was held at Erskine?
- What was the current building used for prior to becoming China Village fire department?
- Where can you find a picture of a 3 dollar note?
- What 2 building survived the great fire in South China in 1872?
- Who did the Weeks Mills fire department buy their first truck from?
- Who was the towns first manager?
- Where was the Pond road?
Answers
(referenced page numbers are from the History of China, available on the China Town Office website)
- pg 26 stb Devil
- pg 188 bic Stuart Park
- pg 85 bic Carroll Jones
- pg 30 bic $375
- pg 141 bic Branch Mills Dirigo China Academy
- pg 151 eli Would not take the oath of office
- pg 182 bic James Parnell Jones
- pg 9 stb 40 feet
- pg 57 bic 1877
- pg 139 bic 15 cents
- pg 140 bic 10 cents
- pg 190 eli John G Whitter
- pg 137 stb Oldest man in China (shingled his barn at 92)
- pg 39 bic little wiggler
- pg 146 bic 50 dollars
- pg 188 bic 1941
- pg 20 stb
- pg 20 eli Moses Brown
- pg 171 eli bullet from a sniper ricocheted of a tree
- pg 85 stb 3 miles each way
- pg 37 bic 12 hours
- pg 123 bic 1920
- pg 123 bic 11 dollars
- pg 127 bic 39
- pg 202 bic corner of village street and causeway
- pg 224 bic 101 years
- pg 150 bic 1 dollar
- pg 113 bic corner of Hanson and Cross road
- pg 257 bic 23
- pg 53 bic 1966
- pg 244 bic 214,567
- pg 244 bic From the non-farming families of York
- pg 174 bic 1920’s
- pg 14 bic 1796
- pg 26 bic split the lake in half east to west
- pg 215 bic Togus VA hospital
- pg 219 bic 1901
- pg map 4 bic 1830
- pg 4 stb White mountains
- pg 31 bic Bradley’s
- pg 208 & 211 Reed’s Store and Dowe’s diner
- pg 97 bic rt 3 next to fairpoint building
- pg 163 eli He refused because of Quaker religion
- pg 83 bic 1963
- bic pg 205 bic Adams gas station
- plate 15
- pg 206 bic The brick house and the Rufus Jones house
- pg 225 bic China Fire department
- pg 54 bic Earl A. White
- pg 32 bic Lakeview drive
Windsor Fair 2017 – Program of Events
Windsor Fair 2017
Sunday, August 27 through Labor Day, September 4
GATES OPEN 9 a.m. DAILY
Highlights
Sunday, August 27, “Get Acquainted Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post Time: 1 p.m.
• Giant Midway Opens 1:30 p.m.
• Gladiolus Show (Exhibition Hall) 2 p.m.
Monday, August 28 “Woodsmen’s & Senior Citizens Day”
• Admission Senior Citizens (60+) $4
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 3 p.m.
• Giant Midway Opens 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 29 “Horsemen’s Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 3 p.m.
• Giant Midway Opens 1 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 30, “Vendor Appreciation Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 3 p.m.
• Giant Midway Opens 1 p.m.
• Elvis Tribute w/John Burroughs, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 31 “Senior Citizens’ Day” (60+) $4 and Veterans Day
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 3 pm
• Giant Midway Opens 1pm
• Veterans Day Ceremony (Entertainment Area) 10:30 am
Friday, Sept. 1 “Livestock Appreciation Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 3 pm
• Giant Midway Open Noon
• N.E. Jumpers Assn. horse show 9 a.m. outside ring
• Horse pulling 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 2 “4-H Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 1 pm
• Giant Midway Open Noon
• 4-H Dairy, Sheep, Steers, 9:30 am; Rabbit show, 10 a.m.
• Antique Tractor Show 10 a.m.
• Ladies fry pan throwing, 1 p.m. (Memorial Park)
Sunday, Sept. 3 “Museum” and “Childrens Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 1 pm
• Giant Midway Open Noon
• Kiddie Tractor Pull, register at information booth, 9 – 11 a.m.
• Monster Truck Show, 7 p.m., $5 admission
Monday, Sept. 4 “Labor Day”
• Harness Horse Racing – Post time 1 pm
• Giant Midway Open Noon
• Antique Car Show and Parade (Race Track) 11 am
Daily Entertainment
• Demolition Derby – 7 pm, Sunday,
August 27 (Sign up 4 p.m. at Gate #5)
• Bob Marley, Admission $5 (grandstand),
Fri., Sept. 1, followed by fireworks
• Monster Truck Show, Sat., Sept. 2, and
Sun., Sept. 3, 7:30 pm, Admission $5
• Windsor Fair Charity Beano Game Everyday Beginning at 2 p.m.
2017 Entertainment Headliners
Walter Weymouth: Sun., August 27, 1 – 3 pm
Working Class: Tues., Aug. 29, 5 – 7 p.m.
Frye Mountain Band: Wed., Aug. 30, 3 – 5 p.m.
The Flashbacks: Fri., Sept. 1, 2 – 4 p.m.
The Hyssongs: Thurs. Aug. 31, 12:30 – 2 pm
Barry Wood: Sat., Sept. 2, noon – 2 p.m.
Rockit Band: Sat., Sept. 2, 3 – 5 p.m.
Simon & Goodwin: Sat., Sept. 2, 3 – 5 p.m.
Admission: Aug. 27 – Aug. 31: $9 • Sept. 1 – Sept. 3: $10 • Sept. 4 (Labor Day): $9