Issue for August 24, 2023
Windsor’s Elwin Hussey reaches the century mark
Elwin Frank Hussey turns 100 years old on August 25, 2023. A lifelong resident of Windsor, Elwin is often associated with Hussey’s General Store, which opened in 1923, the same year Elwin was born. Elwin graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1940 and went to Colby College, in Waterville, majoring in Chemistry. He completed his degree in three years and still holds the record of being the youngest graduate of Colby College… by Norman Kalloch, in collaboration with Kristen Ballantyne
Town News
Select board sets 2023-24 tax rate at 12.72 mils
VASSALBORO – At their Aug. 17 meeting, Vassalboro select board members set the 2023-24 tax rate, discussed pending changes and distributed a bit of praise…
LS Power discussion leads to ordinance suggestion
WINDSOR – At their August 1 meeting, the Windsor Town Manager Theresa Haskell wanted to give an update on the meeting that took place with LS Power, at the Windsor Fairgrounds…
Nomination papers available for November election
CHINA – China’s municipal elections for members of the select board, planning board and budget committee will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7. Nomination papers are now available at the town office; Friday, Sept. 8, is the deadline for returning signed papers to be on the local ballot…
PHOTO: Rotary volunteers assemble backpacks
WATERVILLE – Volunteers from the Waterville Rotary Club recently participated in the Waterville Elks Lodge #905 “Tools to Thrive” Backpack Giveaway program…
Inland Hospital welcomes Dr. Brian Abbott
WATERVILLE – Inland Hospital, in Waterville, welcomes Brian Abbott, DO, to Northern Light Orthopedics, located in the Medical Arts Building attached to Northern Light Inland Hospital…
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: “They call me Mister Tibbs!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is September 7, 2023…
Local happenings
EVENTS: China Historical Society to offer Jones house tours
CHINA – China Historical Society member Jen Jones will be offering a brief tour of her newly-acquired Rufus Jones homestead on Saturday afternoon, August 26. The get-together at the historic location on the Jones Road will begin at around 4:30 p.m. Jen will provide some family history and reflection on her ideas for the property…
EVENTS: Palermo Planning Board to hold meeting
PALERMO – The Palermo Planning Board will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 6:30 p.m., in the Town Office conference room…
EVENTS: Waldo County GOP to gather
SEARSPORT – The Waldo County Republican Committee will be gathering at Mossman Park, in Searsport, on Friday, August 25, beginning at 6 p.m., to have time to connect with each other and have a short meeting at 6:30 p.m., to adopt changes to the county bylaws. Please bring your main course and a side dish or dessert to share…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Annual lobster/steak bake in Madison
MADISON — As part of the Madison/Anson Days Celebration, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #39, Madison, is hosting its annual Lobster & Steak Bake, on Friday, August 25, 4 p.m., until gone, at the Madison American Legion Hall, 20 S. Maple Street.; $20 for one Lobster or steak or $30 for twin lobsters. Sides included… and many other local events.
Obituaries
CHINA – Thomas Lohnes died unexpectedly at his home, in China Village, on Monday, July 24, 2023. He was born in Lewiston, the fifth of six children, son of Jack and Jeannette (Cote) Lohnes… and remembering 12 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Music in the Kennebec Valley – Part 4 (new)
KV HISTORY — Kennebec County historian Henry Kingsbury provided a minor exception to the general lack of interest in music in local histories when he included a section headed “MUSIC” in his history of Waterville and wrote two whole paragraphs… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Slave trade in Vassalboro
VASSALBORO HISTORY — Maine, including to some extent small inland towns like Vassalboro, was more heavily involved in the international slave trade than many residents realize, both before and after slave-trading was made illegal in the United States in 1808… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Music in the Kennebec Valley – Part 3
KV HISTORY — Another type of music in the central Kennebec Valley from early days of European settlement was band music. It was often, but especially in later years not inevitably, associated with military organizations; and like other forms of music, got limited attention in most local histories… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Music in the Kennebec Valley – Part 2
KV HISTORY — In his Music and Musicians of Maine, George Thornton Edwards’ list of “principal musical centers in Maine” in the late 18th and early 19th centuries included the Augusta-Hallowell-Gardiner complex, China and “some of the towns in the Kennebec Valley,” in addition to Portland and other, mostly coastal or more southern, towns… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 14, 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: Eleanor Bilodeau, Unity
Town Line Original Columnists
LAKE LIFE TODAY
by Elaine Philbrook | It’s that time of year when we start thinking of the change of seasons. Along with the change of seasons it’s also time to think about how your septic system is functioning, and specifically about maintaining your septic tank. It’s always a good idea to know where your septic tank and field are located, and to look for signs of any malfunctions…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | Welcome back readers. I want to thank you all for the great response we received regarding our last couple of issues. I hope you continue to read and comment as that is the way we draw attention and also get things done. There is a right and a wrong way to do things and we hope that attention leads to doing things which lead to the right way…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | A ten-inch acoustic Victor shellac disc presented the duet of contralto Elsie Baker (1883-1971) and baritone Frederick Wheeler (1877-1951) performing There Is Nothing, Dear, I Wouldn’t Do for You from a vaudeville musical revue, All Aboard, produced by comedian Lew Fields who was part of the early 1900s comedy team, Weber and Fields…
THE BEST VIEW
by Norma Best Boucher | I was backstage opening night of my debut performance peeking through the curtain at the audience, asking myself, “What the heck am I doing here?”…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) — If you experience anxiety and stress while visiting your dentist, you’re not alone. For many people, the idea of going to the dentist stirs up anxiety; however, it’s so important to combat those thoughts to keep your smile strong and healthy. To help, here are four tips so you can remain calm while your teeth receive care…