Issue for April 11, 2024
Activities abound at RSU #18 schools
China Middle School’s fifth through eighth grade students had the opportunity to work in the Mobile Science Lab! Two different programs were offered to students. Some students learned about balancing ecosystems with invasive species. They developed tools to mitigate the effects of the invasive species. Other students participated in the Micropipette Challenge where they practiced measuring and transferring liquids using a pipette. CMS was the first school the new Mobile BioLab visited. Sixth graders at China Middle then attended the kick-off event for Educate Maine and the Maine Mobile BioLab, at the State House, in Augusta!… and other recent events from local schools!
Town News
Protecting water quality in local lakes theme of planning board meeting
VASSALBORO – Protecting water quality in Vassalboro lakes, especially Webber Pond, was the theme running through most of the discussion at the April 2 Vassalboro Planning Board meeting…
Select board members sign warrant for the annual town meeting
CHINA – At their April 8 meeting, China select board members signed the warrant for the June 11 annual town business meeting, at which voters act on the 2024-25 municipal budget (and other items), and heard a presentation on the 2024-25 school budget, which will be voted on separately the same day…
Budget committee endorses select board proposal
CHINA – China Budget Committee members have endorsed the select board’s proposed 2024-25 budget, to be presented to voters at the June 11 annual town business meeting…
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is April 4, 2024…
Flynn announces legislative candidacy
ALBION – Paul Flynn, of Albion, has announced his candidacy to represent Winslow, Albion, Unity Plantation and Freedom in the Maine Legislature. He has been an Albion resident for 33 years. Upon graduating St. Joseph’s College, in Standish, he and his wife Kate have made Maine their home…
Taste of Waterville taking applications for vendors
WATERVILLE – The Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s 32nd Annual Taste of Waterville is planned for Wednesday, July 31, from noon to 10 p.m., at the Head of Falls, off Front Street, in downtown Waterville…
Carrabec High School 3rd quarter honor roll
No.Anson – List of third quarter honor roll students at Carrabec High School…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Shakespeare group plans 460th birthday party
WATERVILLE – What ho! Come party with Recycled Shakespeare Company for 460th birthday of the great bard William Shakespeare in Waterville, on Saturday, April 20, with the 11th annual Bard’s Birthday Bash…
EVENTS: Ecology Learning Center announces fundraiser
UNITY – The Ecology Learning Center, a public charter high school based in Unity, has announced a new fundraising campaign for the Clifford Arts & Student Center, which was gifted to the school in February. The campaign hopes to raise $150,000 by Sunday, June 30, supporting a “farm-to-cafeteria” program, in addition to covering capital and operating expenses. Every donation to our capital campaign will be doubled…
EVENTS: Kennebec Performing Arts Co. to present pops concert
WINTHROP – Kennebec Performing Arts Company will present its annual Spring Pops Concerts, on Friday, May 3, at 7 p.m., at Winthrop Performing Arts Center, 211 Rambler Road, Winthrop, and Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m., at the William and Elsie Viles Auditorium, Cony High School, Pierce Dr. Augusta…
EVENTS: Safe, practical storage and display spaces for historic objects
FAIRFIELD – Explore the best ways to care for your personal or museum collections. Come join this free workshop Monday, May 6, 2024, Safe Practical Storage and Display Spaces for Historic Objects Workshop, at the L. C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley…
EVENTS: Bird migration in central Maine lecture
UNITY – A bird migration in central Maine lecture will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m., Unity Community Center, 32 School St., Unity…
EVENTS: Understanding Land Surveying workshop
BENTON – An Understanding Land Surveying workshop will be held at the Benton Grange Hall, 29 River Rd., Benton, on Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 – 8 p.m…
EVENTS: Gibbs Library National Poetry Month event to be held Saturday, April 20
WASHINGTON – Gibbs Library presents a National Poetry Month event Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m., in the Bryant Room, Gibbs Library, 40 Old Union Road, Washington,. Celebrated and award-winning Maine poets Jefferson Navicky and Dawn Potter will read their poems and discuss their craft…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Soup & Pie Social fundraiser
PALERMO – The Palermo Community Library is hosting its very popular Soup & Pie Social fundraiser on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Come on down and dine-in, drive-up, or carry-out. The cost is $7 for a meal which includes a delicious bowl of homemade soup, cornbread, oyster crackers, water, and a slice of pie… and many other local events!
Local town meetings schedule for 2024
Schedule for town meetings in 2024 for Albion, China, Palermo & Vassalboro..
Obituaries
ALBION – Leland M. Bessey, 96, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, following a brief period of declining health. He was the son of Clarence and Alice Bessey… and remembering 10 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Augusta-area authors (new)
AUGUSTA HISTORY — This week’s article is about two more Augusta-area writers whose careers began in the 19th century. In order of birth, they are Edward Stanwood (born in Augusta, spent most of his career in the Boston area) and Laura E. Richards (born in the Boston area, spent most of her career in Gardiner, two towns south of Augusta)… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Two Augusta women poets
AUGUSTA HISTORY — As mentioned last week, the list of writers in Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history includes many from Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner. Among them were two Augusta women listed as poets, Emma Nason (born Emma Caroline Huntington) and Olive Eliza Dana… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Some early Maine poets
CENTRAL HISTORY — As promised last week, no more ponds for a while. Instead, your writer turned to Thomas Addison’s chapter on Literature and Literary People, in Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history. She hopes you will enjoy meeting a few of the writers mentioned… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney ponds
SIDNEY HISTORY — Here is the last article (for a while) on central Kennebec Valley ponds and people for whom they might have been named. This week’s topic is ponds in the Town of Sidney (which was until Jan. 30, 1792, part of Vassalboro, despite being on the other – west – side of the Kennebec River)… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, April 11, 2024
Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! Email your answer to townline@townline.org or through our Contact page. Include your name and address with your answer. Use “Common Ground” in the subject!
Previous winner: Wayne Morris, Norridgewock
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Over the last 50 years or so of my adult life, I have been involved in many activities, including coaching sports at the youth and high school levels, and have done my share of local political participation. So, in exposing myself to critics, I have been called some unflattering names. Some more colorful than others. But, one thing of which I have never been accused is being a nerd…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | Have fun and enjoy picking fresh fruit right outside your door thanks to compact varieties you can grow in containers. Just clear some space on your patio, deck, balcony, or front steps that receives at least six hours of sunlight and get busy planting…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | A 1956 seven-inch 45 (Kapp K-226X) features the Gingersnaps, four women from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, who had been friends in high school. They perform two novelty bubblegum pop songs, Gingerbread; and Lenny! Lenny! This record was for me an intriguing historic curiosity because, having been born in 1951, the ‘50s have remained an immensely fascinating time warp…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | When we talk about mental health we are talking about “a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.” Our mental health influences how we think, feel, and behave in daily life. It also affects our ability to handle stress, face and overcome challenges, maintain and build relationships, and recover from difficulties and setbacks…