Issue for April 7, 2022
Biochar: A soil amendment that offers multiple benefits
Biochar is an agricultural practice that is gaining in popularity—but what is it? Created from a variety of feedstock, including corn stalks, wood, and even manure, biochar is a specialized form of charcoal suitable for use in the soil… by Kayla Bergman, senior policy associate, Center for Rural Affairs
Shakespeare group to observe 9th annual Bard’s Bash
Recycled Shakespeare Company proudly presents the 9th annual Bard’s Birthday Bash on Saturday, April 23. This FREE event is open to all. You may join RSC and friends in dressing up and parading around Waterville reading sonnets, singing Shakespearean songs, and performing monolgues and scenes. No memorizing, prior experience or costumes necessary… by Lyn Rowden
Your Local News
Select board wraps up “almost final” warrant
CHINA — China Select Board members put the warrant for the June 14 annual town business meeting in almost-final form at a two-hour special meeting April 4…
Budget committee holds final spring meeting
CHINA — China Budget Committee members held their final spring 2022 meeting on March 31, rediscussing a few of the proposed 2022-23 expenditures and making recommendations on warrant articles…
Budget committee recommendations may not be final; school budget unknown
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Budget Committee members made their recommendations on the 2022-23 municipal budget at their March 31 meeting. Not all votes were unanimous, and because the school budget is still unknown, committee members did not guarantee their recommendations are final…
Maine DEP awards new round of stream crossing grants
CENTRAL ME — Maine DEP’s Municipal Stream Crossing Grant Program provides grants that match local funding for the upgrade of culverts at stream crossings on municipal roads…
LETTERS: Happy to support Smith
from Anne Kurek (Palermo) – I am happy to write to support Katrina Smith for State Representative for District #62 China, Hibberts Gore, Palermo, Somerville and Windsor…
Swift announces candidacy for House District #62
PALERMO – Pam Swift, MD, a Democrat from Palermo, has announced her candidacy for Maine’s House of Representatives in District #62, which includes the communities of Palermo, China, Somerville, Windsor, and Hibberts Gore…
PHOTOS: Battle of Maine winners
WATERVILLE – Club NAHA Karate-Do Team Member Matthew Christen Captured 1st place in forms and 2nd place in weapons…Huard’s Martial Arts Student Madalyn Taylor, 7, of Fairfield, captured 1st place in forms and 3rd place in fighting…
Roderick receives MPA award
CHINA – Mackenzie Roderick, of China, a senior at Erskine Academy, has been selected to receive the 2022 Principal’s Award, Headmaster Michael McQuarrie announced…
Be wary of text scams from your “boss”
CENTRAL ME – You may be used to getting text messages and emails from your boss, which is why a recent texting scam is so effective. Scammers find out where you work and pose as the CEO or other executive. Be on guard and don’t share money or information – be it your own or your company’s…
Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital partners with Healthy Living for ME
CENTRAL ME – Healthy Living for ME welcomes Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital as a community provider in the statewide network…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Wars – Part 14 (new)
MAINE HISTORY — The wars on which this series has provided information so far began with fighting against the European power that once claimed the United States and continued with the 1861-1865 war between two parts of the United States… by Mary Grow [1747 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Wars – Part 12
MAINE HISTORY — The United States Civil War, which began when the Confederates shelled Fort Sumter, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861, and ended with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia, on April 9, 1865, had the most impact on Maine, including the central Kennebec Valley, of any 17th or 18th century war… by Mary Grow [2191 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Wars – Part 11
MAINE HISTORY — Many historians don’t take the Aroostook War seriously. Several sources call it the Pork and Beans War; Wikipedia says the nickname is based on either the local lumbermen’s or the British soldiers’ staple food. Some of the local histories cited earlier in this series don’t even mention the war… by Mary Grow [1958 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Wars – Part 10
MAINE HISTORY — According to an on-line genealogy, Thaddeus Bailey (Nov. 28, 1759 – March 4, 1849) was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, served in the Revolutionary War from Lincoln County, lived in Palermo for some years and served in the War of 1812 while living in Albion… by Mary Grow [1819 words]
Town Meetings Schedule for 2022
A list of local town meetings for Albion, China, Fairfield, Palermo, Sidney, Solon, Vassalboro and Windsor…
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is April 8, 2022…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Hyssongs to offer free concert
SKOWHEGAN — Free concert, The Hyssongs, Sunday, April 17, at New Horizons Community Church, 31 East Madison Rd., Skowhegan, at 10 a.m…. and many other local events!
Obituaries
BRUNSWICK – Lionel “Lee” Poliquin, 91, passed away quietly in his sleep, on Monday morning March 14, 2022. He was the son of Lionel Poliquin, Sr., of Lewiston, and Helen Bouchard Poliquin, originally from Aroostook County… and remembering 10 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, April 12, 2022
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 | Did you know flying squirrels exist in Maine? Well, be it known that Maine is home to the northern flying squirrel. The northern flying squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus, is one of two species of the animal, the only flying squirrels found in North America…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | I met a veteran the other day in a wheelchair and just began a conversation with him. It seems he and his wife are both veterans. I being in a chair myself began talking about some of the difficulties involved…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Herbert von Karajan’s 114th birthday anniversary is April 5. He may have been arguably the most powerful conductor to emerge in the entire world of classical music after World War II, around 1947, following de-Nazification proceedings…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | I read an amazing theory on Facebook, a computer social program, I have no idea who is the author, but I am impressed with the words of wisdom. If you already saw this, I hope you will enjoy the premise of the theory again…