Issue for April 27, 2023
A true friendship story between two centenarians
This is the story of Theresa and Lucille who grew up in Brunswick, Maine. As lifelong friends they went to the same schools, married and later both moved to Waterville. Theresa Wilson first lived on Golf Links Road, in Brunswick, and was part of a family of seven girls and three boys… Submitted by Pauline Rancourt
Town News
Select board schedules May public hearings
CHINA – By the end of their April 24 meeting, China select board members had a public hearing scheduled for each of their May meetings. The Monday, May 8, meeting will be preceded by a 6 p.m. public hearing on warrant articles for the June 13 annual town business meeting…
Transfer station water tested; it is potable, with issues
CHINA – Transfer station staffer Cheyenne “CJ” Houle reported on several projects she is working on. The one completed at the end of March was getting the water at the transfer station tested: it is potable, Houle reported…
Killdeer Heights subdivision request postponed to May 9
CHINA – China Planning Board members’ review of Timothy O’Brien’s application to subdivide one lot in Killdeer Heights subdivision into four lots has been put off to their May 9 meeting…
Community Resilience Partnership explained
CHINA – Olivia Kunesh from the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG) explained the state-wide Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) program at an April 24 meeting in China…
Select board, town manager work on warrant for annual town meeting
VASSALBORO – At their April 13 meeting, Vassalboro selectboard members and Town Manager Aaron Miller worked on the warrant for the June 5 and June 13 annual town meeting…
Legislative Report as of Thursday, April 7, 2023
CENTRAL ME – List of legislative bills sponsored by local senators and representatives…
Benjamin Reed achieves rank of Eagle Scout
VASSALBORO – Delayed for two years due to Covid mandates, Vassalboro’s Benjamin Reed received his Eagle Scout rank during a ceremony on April 16, 2023, at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church… by Chuck Mahaleris
Local artists score big at national country music competition
CENTRAL ME – Fred Couverette and Becky Daughty, central Maine country music artists, recently attended the North American Country Music Association International competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 15-19…
Elmira College recognizes annual Key Award recipients
OAKLAND – Elmira College, in Elmira, New York, recently announced this year’s recipients of its annual Key Award. This year’s award was given to 761 students across 14 states and Puerto Rico. A tradition that goes back to 1935, the Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. Those receiving the award included Emma Fortie and Jonathan Eccher Mullally, both of Oakland…
Matthew Parent named a Presidential Scholar at Clarkson University
OAKLAND – Matthew G. Parent, of Oakland, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering, was named a Presidential Scholar for the Fall 2022 semester at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York…
FICTION: The House, part 10: Visions of Christmas Past
They decided to call it a day and attempt to tackle the last room and ‘adventure’ the next day. The following morning Jake said, “Wonder what we’ll find in our final room,” while the four were enjoying a waffle/egg sandwich, compliments of Miri and Amy’s creative cooking. They were still trying different things that they would hope to serve guests in the future and the guys didn’t mind testing them out… by Peg Pellerin
Local happenings
EVENTS: It’s Maine Pottery Tour time
CENTRAL ME – Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios…
EVENTS: Gaslight Theater’s 2023 season continues
HALLOWELL – Gaslight Theater’s 2023 Season of Laughter continued in April and May with Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy, directed by Lucille Rioux. The show will be produced at Hallowell Cithy Hall Auditorium, at 1 Winthrop St., in Hallowell, over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, April 28, 29 and 30, and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m…
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “Open the pod bay doors, please HAL.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is May 4, 2023…
Listing of local town meetings
CENTRAL ME — Listing of 2023 local town meetings in central Maine. To have your town listed, please email us at townline@townline.org…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Meet Travis Mills
HALLOWELL — Meet Travis Mills, Wednesday, May 3, from 5:30 – 7 p.m., at the Quarry Tap Room, 122 Water Street, in Hallowell. Learn how you can support the Travis Mills Foundation, which supports post-911 recalibrated veterans through various programs at their retreat in Belgrade, by sponsoring Valleepalooza 2023… and many other local events!
2022-’23 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real estate tax due dates for the towns of Albion, China, Fairfield, Oakland, Palermo, Sidney, Vassalboro, Waterville, Windsor and Winslow…
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Russell Ibbitson, 67, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2022, at his home. Russell attended schools in Hanson, Massachusetts, and was a graduate of Winslow High School. Russell built his life on the family property in Vassalboro in the early ‘80s, often a team of one… and remembering 13 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 11, 2023
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: Alden Cook, Augusta
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | The weather has warmed, the snow is melting and the streams are bustling with activity as the spring runoff is in full swing. On a recent trip to Vermont, my wife and I saw many streams along the route swelling their banks and looking primed for brook trout fishing…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | Even though most of us still have some patches of snow in our yards, it won’t be long before it melts and we have more constant warmer temperatures of spring. For wildlife rehabbers, spring brings an increase in phone calls from well-intentioned folks who are worried about young animals that appear to have been abandoned by their mothers…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | I know I have mentioned Joey Green in past columns. I have to mention him again. He has some of the best material on the market for home remedies for cleaning, for health and other user-friendly household needs. This time Joey lists different uses for Bounce dryer sheets and I would like to share with you…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | The 27th former President William Howard Taft (1857-1930) had what might be considered the closest friendship possible with his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt. They more than frequently visited with each other, advised each other, encouraged each other, even rebuked each other…
THE BEST VIEW
by Norma Best-Boucher | Let me see now. Press the silver button on the little black key box, and the key pops out. Press the silver button again, and the key slides back in. I smile…quite pleased with myself…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) — As the winter snow melts and the sun starts to shine, people in the Northeast United States look forward to the arrival of spring. However, for many, springtime also brings along the onset of seasonal allergies. This is especially true in Maine, where the blooming of flowers and trees can cause a range of allergic reactions…