Issue for April 4, 2024
Anchor ME Farm offers non-clinical goat therapy activities
A local goat farm, in Windsor, is offering non-clinical therapy activities with their goats for people with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The farm, called ” Anchor-ME Farm,” owned by Cara and Brian Cribb, is home to goats, ducks, geese and dogs. The goats are all friendly and well-socialized, and they love to interact with people of all ages. The Anchor-ME farm, located at 584 Ridge Road, Windsor, offers a variety of non-clinical therapy activities, including… by Jeanne Marquis
Town News
Budget committee reviews select board’s draft
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro budget committee members reviewed the select board’s draft 2024-25 municipal budget at two lengthy meetings March 19 and March 26…
Select board approves 32-article warrant at special meeting
CHINA – At a short special meeting April 1, China select board members approved the 32-article warrant for the June 11 annual town business meeting…
Board of appeals grants site size variance for apartments
CHINA – The China Board of Appeals has granted Carrol White’s application for a variance from lot size requirements to allow him to seek planning board approval to convert the former Silver Lake Grange Hall in China Village to apartments…
Planners endorse proposed ordinance changes
CHINA – At their March 26 meeting, China planning board members unanimously endorsed three proposed ordinance changes that select board members are considering presenting to voters at the June 11 annual town business meeting…
Road committee prepares list of roads to be repaved
CHINA – China road committee members met March 26 and prepared a preliminary list of roads to be repaved in 2024, money permitting. The proposed work, according to committee member and China deputy clerk Jennifer Chamberlain, totals 5.27 miles…
Bill to protect veterans unanimously clears key legislative committee
AUGUSTA – Veterans in Maine may soon have more financial security after a bill providing protection from fraudulent and predatory claims practices cleared a key legislative committee last week. The bill, LD 2259, was sponsored by Sen. Brad Farrin, R-Somerset, and provides increased protection for veterans who are applying for U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) benefits…
Webber’s Pond
This comic is illustrated by an anonymous central Maine resident (click to enlarge thumbnail…)
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 martini. Shaken not stirred.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is April 4, 2024…
ShineOnCass animal baby shower set for May 5 in Albion
ALBION – Children dressed in their pajamas will welcome baby lambs, goats, calves and other newborn animals also wearing pajamas, on Sunday, May 5, at the ShineOnCass Animal Baby Shower & PJ Party, at Hart-to-Hart Farm & Education Center, in Albion…
Scouts receive Papa Bear award
CENTRAL ME – Congratulations to John Wood, Alan Duplessis, Sherwood Hilt, and Karla Talpey on receiving the Ray “Papa Bear” Kimball Award of Service at the Kennebec Valley District Annual Scouting Recognition Dinner, held on Sunday, March 24, at the Winslow Parks & Recreation Department Hall… by Chuck Mahaleris
Oakland bike group takes the plunge for charity
OAKLAND – On March 16 the American Legion Riders of Decker-Simmons Post #51, Oakland, along with other groups from the area gathered at the boat launch in Oakland for the Polar plunge to raise money to help fight food insecurity at the Alfond Youth and Community Center. They raised $1,986 with a grand total over all of $30,000…
Three scouters honored for decades of service to scouting
AUGUSTA – Three scouters were recognized for decades of service helping youth develop in the scouting programs. Scouting only happens due to the continued service of these volunteers. Scott Bernier, of Augusta, was honored for 45 years of scouting tenure, Alan Duplessis for 35 years and Karla Talpey for 30 years…
Inland Hospital podiatrist shares foot health tips
CENTRAL ME – You depend on your feet to get you everywhere in life but are you giving them the respect and attention they deserve? April is national Foot Health month and Northern Light Podiatry is stepping up to help you love your feet…
Local students named to dean’s honor list
CENTRAL ME – Zachary Craig, of Benton, Catherine Estes, of Sidney, and Rebecca Riley, of Chelsea, were named to the dean’s honor list at Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio, for Fall 2023.
Emma Concaugh named to College of the Holy Cross’ dean’s list
OAKLAND – Emma Concaugh, of Oakland, a member of the class of 2024, was named to the College of the Holy Cross dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Local residents named to Clark Univ.’s dean’s list
CENTRAL ME – The following local residents were named to Clark University’s Fall 2023 dean’s list, in Worcester, Massachusetts: Sam N. Golden, of South China, was named to second honors; Maya L. Patten, of Mercer, was named to second honors; Frankie D. Roberts, of Unity, was named to second honors.
Ella Conway earns dean’s list
CENTRAL ME – Emerson College student Ella Conway, from Skowhegan, is named to the College’s dean’s list for the Fall 2023 semester, in Boston, Massachusetts. Conway is majoring in media arts production and is a member of the Class of 2026.
Local happenings
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…
EVENTS: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust accepting scholarship applications
CENTRAL ME – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is currently accepting applications for the Bank’s 2024 Career & Technical Education Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to income-eligible high school seniors who attend a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum and are planning to attend a college or technical school in the academic year immediately following graduation…
EVENTS: AARP Tax-Aide program available in central Maine
CENTRAL ME – The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free federal and state income tax preparation and electronic filing to low-and moderate-income individuals. Returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers. The program is funded by the AARP Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable organization, and the IRS…
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 – Rick True Fuller, 54, passed away Friday, March 22, 2024, at Androscoggin Hospice House, following a brief battle with cancer. Rick was born in Waterville on July 18, 1969, to parents Percy Ralph and Viola M. Fuller… and remembering 6 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Two Augusta women poets (new)
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
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Ponds named after people
VASSALBORO HISTORY — Returning to early settlers who had ponds named after them and related topics (discussed in many recent articles in this series), your writer starts with a reader’s question: is Webber Pond in Vassalboro named for Charles Webber, mentioned at the end of the Jan. 11 article?… 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 | Have you ever heard of a pumpkin bug? Well, neither had I until someone asked about them. The pumpkin bug, or squash bug, are also called stink bugs, but are not the traditional stink bug…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | Make some room in your garden or containers for the new All-America Selections 2024 National award-winning plants. These winning varieties are tested in trial gardens across the United States and Canada. Volunteer judges rate entries based on their improved performance, flavor, disease resistance, and other unique qualities related to their performance in gardens and containers…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | The October 1904, Atlantic Monthly, out of Boston, Massachusetts, had an article, The Art of Miss Jewett, on South Berwick Maine’s own Sarah Orne Jewett (1849 – 1909) , via which Charles Miner Thompson (1864-1941) stated the following…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | There could be good news if you or someone you care about is ever among the one in 6,000 Americans the National Institutes of Health estimates will be diagnosed with keratoconus…