Issue for August 15, 2024
Palermo community foundation nets $1,970 at fundraiser barbecue
The August 3 Community Cookout wasn’t just delicious, it was great fun! Anthony Semenovich played his violin and guitar, inspiring some to dance along in the grass, as people finished their desserts and relaxed under the canopies and in the grape arbor. “I saw people scooping up the last crumbs of cornbread from the giant pan,” laughed Phil White Hawk as he helped himself to more pulled pork…
Town News
Town receives good news of $200,000 grant for Mill Hill bridge replacement
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members began their Aug. 8 meeting with the good news of a $200,000 grant toward the Mill Hill bridge replacement project…
Planners hear request to amend subdivision
VASSALBORO – The three leaders of Augusta’s All Season Home Improvements company met with Vassalboro Planning Board members on Aug. 6 to talk about amending a nine-year-old subdivision…
Select board sets tax rate at 11.7 mils
CHINA – China select board members set the 2024-25 tax rate (in their role as town assessors) and lined up several local referendum questions for Nov. 5 at a busy Aug. 12 meeting…
LETTERS: Let’s all support Laura Jones!
from Amy Davidoff (Vassalboro) – I am excited and fully support Laura Jones’ candidacy for House of Representatives for our district (i.e., Vassalboro and Sidney)…
LETTERS: Elise Brown is dedicated to our community
from Jean Wakem (Liberty) – When Elise Brown told me she was running for Waldo County Commissioner in District #3, I went online to learn what a County Commissioner does. Much of our quality of life here in Waldo County is affected by county government…
LETTERS: Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner
from Bob Kohl (Liberty) – We who live in Liberty are fortunate to witness Elise in action – as our long-time Director of Emergency Management and for many years as budget committee chairman. But what personally impresses me the most is her thoughtful presence at selectboard and annual town meetings…
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: “Be the ball, Danny.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is September 5, 2024.
Webber’s Pond comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)…
Madison Auxiliary to tend booth during Madison/Anson Days
MADISON – American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, will have a booth on Saturday, August 24, near the Skowhegan Savings Bank, in Madison, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., during Madison/Anson Days celebration. They will be selling RADA cutlery, American Pride bracelets, collecting school supplies for students in MSAD #59 and RSU #74, handing out information pamphlets regarding the American Legion Auxiliary…
PHOTO: Beautiful flowers, beautiful day
VASSALBORO – Lindy Sklover, of Vassalboro, snapped these peonies at Fieldstone Gardens, in Vassalboro…
POEM: Ode to Albion
ALBION – Kristin Frangoulis was honored when asked to write a poem to celebrate Albion’s 200th birthday. This is what she authored…
PHOTOS: Winslow has strong showing at USATF track and field trials
WINSLOW/AUGUSTA – The USATF Youth Track and Field Championships took place at Cony High School on Saturday August 10. Over 1,000 youth track & competitors from all around the state of Maine were in attendance for a great day!… by Mark Huard
Western New England University names local students to president’s list
SIDNEY – Western New England University (WNE), in Springfield, Massachusetts, recognizes the outstanding academic achievements of two area students named to the president’s list for the Spring 2024 semester. They are, Kasen Sirois, of Sidney, who is working toward a BA in communication/media & journalism, and Andrew Mayo, also of Sidney, who is working toward a BSE in civil engineering.
Local student earns degrees
BENTON – Amber Chesley, of Benton, graduated from the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, Colorado, with a master of arts degree in rehabilitation counseling.
Maia Macek named to Hamilton College dean’s list
MADISON – Maia Macek, of Madison, has been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, for the spring 2024 semester.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Erskine Academy to host new student orientation
CHINA – All incoming freshmen or new students and their parents are invited to attend the Erskine Academy New Student Orientation, on Tuesday, August 27, at 6:30 p.m., in the gym…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Bluegrass festival in Palermo
PALERMO – Family and Friends Bluegrass Festival will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 16 – 18, at 2640 North Palermo Road, in North Palermo. There will be live music, food truck, children’s activities, free rough camping, and a Bluegrass jam. Admission is free but donations are appreciated… and many other local events!
Obituaries
SOUTH CHINA – Diana M. Bickford, 43, died unexpectedly Saturday, August 3, 2024. She was born in Augusta on June 18, 1981, the daughter of Mark M. and Dorothy A. (Reynolds) Bickford…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney early settlers: the Faught family (new)
SIDNEY HISTORY — The Faughts were another early Sidney family. The first Faught your writer came across was Marlborough Packard Faught, a name that sounded refreshingly unusual; but she soon found that the Faughts, like the Bacons, enjoyed repeating more common names – Frederick, Jacob, Samuel – through generations… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley – Bacon families: Sidney early settlers
SIDNEY HISTORY — Among early settlers in Sidney against whose lives your writer brushed while trying unsuccessfully to learn why someone chose to name the town after a long-dead Englishman were the Bacon, Faught, Lovejoy, Marsh and Snow families… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney
SIDNEY HISTORY — The town on the west bank of the Kennebec River south of Waterville that is now Sidney began as part of Vassalboro, the town on the east bank… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville
WATERVILLE HISTORY — Waterville, now a city, started as the part of Winslow on the west bank of the Kennebec River. In the 1902 centennial history, editor and writer Edwin Carey Whittemore traced Winslow/ Waterville’s origin from Native American settlements onward… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, August 15, 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: Nancy Marston, Weeks Mills
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | With the increasing number of wolf sightings reported to me, I found it necessary to revisit the subject. Thanks to John Glowa, of the Maine Wolf Coalition, I will share with you the contents of an email he submitted to The Town Line…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Continuing with my on-going fascination with the great conductors of the past, I encountered a group photo of Charles Munch (1891-1968), Bruno Walter (1876-1962), and Pierre Monteux (1875-1964), who established the still existing Domaine School in Hancock for conducting students just over 80 years ago…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | I will try to get a couple things answered this week. I am getting slower in my old age and VA is becoming more complicated than it used to be. Remember, what I share with you is my opinion based upon my research and that which has worked for me and veterans I have worked with overtime…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Keeping yourself well-hydrated is vital for your overall well-being, including ensuring your airways are clear and functioning smoothly. When you don’t drink enough water, your body might produce more mucus, which gets thicker and can challenge breathing…