Issue for April 15, 2021
Andrew Clark presented with Spirit of America Award at Albion town meeting
The town of Albion presented its 2021 Spirit of America Award to Fire Chief Andrew Clark, by Board of Selectmen Chairman Beverly Bradstreet, at the annual town meeting, held on March 22…
Fairfield issues request for qualifications for public drinking water infrastructure planning project
The town of Fairfield has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to support civil and environmental engineering services for the planning and development of a public drinking water infrastructure plan…
Your Local News
Public hearing set for April 26 on town meeting decisions
CHINA — At their April 12 meeting, China selectmen spent the most time on two topics: the upcoming April 26 public hearings on June 8 town meeting decisions, and mask-wearing at the transfer station…
Broadband committee continues developing proposal
CHINA — China Broadband Committee (CBC) members continued discussion of their developing proposal for extended and improved China broadband service at their April 8 meeting…
Board approves first reading of school budget: Totals over $8.3 million
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro School Board members approved the first reading of their 2021-22 budget April 6, half an hour before they were scheduled to discuss it with the town budget committee…
Planners look at potential fourth solar development
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Planning Board members listened to preliminary plans for what might become the town’s fourth commercial solar development, this one on Webber Pond Road. No action was expected and none was taken…
Selectmen to meet Thursday, April 15
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15, in person in the Vassalboro Community School gymnasium. Their agenda includes three main items…
Town of Vassalboro 250th Anniversary Commemoration
VASSALBORO — 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…
Soup & Biscuit fundraiser coming to Winslow Congregational Church
WINSLOW — 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…
Madison drive-through sock hop big success
MADISON — Members of The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, of Madison, held a “Drive Thru Sock Hop” on February 27 to the beat of ‘50’s and ‘60’s music. With collection boxes, monetary donations and socks donated the day of the event, a total 1,289 pairs of socks were received…
PHOTOS: Winslow youth baseball, softball gear up for season
WINSLOW — Photos from Winslow’s Youth softball and baseball teams by Missy Brown of Central Maine Photography…
Waterville Creates announces plan to resume in-person programming
WATERVILLE — In response to Governor Mills’ Moving Maine Forward plan, Waterville Creates is thrilled to announce its plans to resume in-person programming at the Waterville Opera House, Railroad Square Cinema, and various outdoor venues…
2021 Ice Out winner
CHINA — The Town Line’s official ice out judge has ruled that ice went out of China Lake on March 30. Therefore, Tricia Rumney, of China Village, has been declared the winner of the $25 gift certificate to North Country Harley-Davidson, on Rte. 3, in Augusta…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges – Part 2 (New)
MAINE HISTORY — The 1915 hall that serves Benton Grange No. 458 is one of 16 Maine Grange halls listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and one of two individually listed in Kennebec County. It was added to the register April 28, 2004… by Mary Grow [1640 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: The Grange – Part 1
MAINE HISTORY — The mother and father of all United States agricultural organization is the Grange, formally known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. The national Grange was organized in Washington, D. C., on Dec. 2, 1867, by a seven-person group headed by Oliver Hudson Kelley… by Mary Grow [1943 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Agriculture
MAINE HISTORY — By the 19th century, Maine farmers realized the benefits of organizing. Samuel L. Boardman, author of the agriculture chapter in Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history, wrote that the Waterville-based Kennebec Agricultural Society, founded in 1787, was the first such group in New England… by Mary Grow [1882 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Livestock
MAINE HISTORY — Besides crops, the other major facet of agriculture is livestock. For early Kennebec Valley settlers, cattle, a term that includes milk-producers, meat-producers and draft animals, were especially important… by Mary Grow [2052 words]
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident…
Obituaries
BENTON – Patricia Ann (Grard) Hoyt, 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Patty was born on an island in the Kennebec, in Fairfield, on May 22, 1939… and remembering 11 others.
2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE and WINDSOR…
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, May 7, 2021
Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy Boutique in Waterville! 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: Diane Gardner, Windsor.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Walking through the woods following a snowfall can show evidence of many wildlife tracks. This past winter, I did see tracks of the Eastern Cottontail rabbit. The Eastern Cottontail, Salvilagus floridanus, is actually a New World cottontail rabbit, a member of the family Leporidae. It is one of the most common rabbit species in North America…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | In 1818, Ludwig van Beethoven composed the Hammerklavier Sonata, #29 of his 32 Sonatas for piano; it is the most technically demanding of the group, a genuine knuckle buster, and very powerful music that, like the composer’s other masterpieces, ranges through many moods…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Yes, that’s right. I am going to pass along my latest lesson. I hope you will forgive me if it, in no way, is of use to you, but it goes like this: Last Thursday I was driving down a busy road and I heard a noise…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | I’m going to start out with one of these 40 tips for a Better Life-2008. 1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. From time to time, I will use some of these suggestions to keep you happy in these troubling times…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | This has become a very difficult year for everyone but especially for our vets, as they age during these times of trouble and strife. Attitudes are going, without question, as our politicians are so divided it is scaring the heck out of everyone and pitting one group against another. Our southern border is being overrun and the homicide rate is the highest it has ever been…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | The 55-plus crowd is more active than ever, continuing to stay in the workforce longer, growing in numbers—to the tune of 73 million and counting—and exerting an even greater economic impact. In fact, 55+ers are responsible for over half of U.S. consumer spending…