Issue for August 26, 2021
Interviews with China Lake Association leadership; Goal is to educate, re-engage membership
The China Lake Association (CLA) elected a new president, Stephen Greene, which established Scott Pierz as the president emeritus for his seven-year service. Scott Pierz will remain active with the CLA, aid in the leadership transition while his passion for lake management will be shared to a greater area as the Executive Director of the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA)…. by Jeanne Marquis [1163 words]
Your Local News
Despite parents’ objection, board votes to require face masks indoors by a split vote
VASSALBORO — On a split vote and over audience objections, Vassalboro School Board members approved requiring students, teachers and staff to wear face masks indoors when school opens Sept. 1…
Budget committee urges “no” vote on broadband expansion
CHINA — China Budget Committee members recommend voters not approve the bond issue for broadband expansion on the Nov. 2 local ballot…
Town to receive more state revenue sharing than budgeted
WINDSOR — At the August 3 meeting of the Windsor selectmen, town manager Theresa Haskell read a release from the Maine Municipal Association regarding the town receiving a $2,383 dividend check for its good performance and loss prevention program…
Vassalboro Sestercentennial Scavenger Hunt
Item #19:
A pencil “rubbing” of the date on something that has a clapper, located at the coordinates 44⁰27’59″N 69⁰40’20″W.
Glen Campbell Alzheimer’s concert planned in Windsor
WINDSOR — There will be a free public concert and fundraiser for the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on Friday night, August 27, at 7 p.m., in the Windsor Town Hall auditorium…
School supplies drive for VCS
VASSALBORO — Help Our VCS Kids, the 3rd annual school supplies drop off, hosted by Don and Lisa Breton, will take place at the North Vassalboro Fire Station, Rte. 32, on Saturday, August 28, from 10 a.m. – noon. For more information, contact Don at 207-313-3505, or dlbreton@roadrunner.com…
Scouting lets you escape the inside
CENTRAL ME — This Fall, as students go indoors back to school, the local Scouts will be inviting those students to join them as they “Escape the Inside.” The Membership Recruitment theme “Escape the Inside” will be used on promotional material such as fliers, posters, and lawn signs as a way of informing youth and their parents that Scouting plans to deliver fun programs in outdoor settings…. by Chuck Mahaleris
LakeSmart designation awarded to two China Lake residents: Bob O’Connor & Cynthia Hart
CHINA — In 1967 Bob’s father bought five parcels of property on the Lakeview side of China Lake. One of the lots is where Bob now calls home. The original camp was converted to a year around home in 1980. Bob eventually moved his family to the home full time in 1987…
Mosaic workshop to be held on Sept. 13 for grieving children
WATERVILLE — Hope’s Place for grieving children, a program of Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, will be offering the art workshop: Create a Mosaic, geared towards children ages 6 to 18. This activity will give children the opportunity to express their feelings of grief and remember their loved one while creating a beautiful piece of art…
Please take our new Reader Survey!
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey, and help us produce a better product. Everyone who fills it out will be entered in a raffle to win a Hannaford’s gift card!
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Schools – Part 1 (new)
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — There are four school buildings in the central Kennebec Valley that are on the National Register of Historic Places, two in Augusta and one each in Winslow and Waterville… by Mary Grow [2000 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Tiffany Hill Chapel
SIDNEY HISTORY — Remaining to be described is Tiffany Chapel, sometimes called Tiffany Hill Chapel, at 544 Tiffany Road, in Sidney. It was built as a Methodist church in 1881 and added to the National Register on Oct. 4, 2018… by Mary Grow [1868 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Samuel F. Smith – Composer of America
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Samuel Francis Smith (Oct. 21, 1808 – Nov. 16, 1895) is best known as the man who in 1831 wrote America, also called My Country ‘Tis of Thee. The song was one of the United States’ unofficial national anthems, especially popular during the Civil War as “a rallying hymn for the north”… by Mary Grow [1850 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Churches – Part 6
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — The Asa Bates Memorial Chapel, also called the Ten Lots Chapel, in the southwestern part of Fairfield, was built between 1916 and 1918 and added to the National Register of Historic Places on Oct. 31, 2002… by Mary Grow [2189 words]
Lake Association Annual Meetings 2021
CENTRAL ME — Listing of local area Lake Association meetings. (To include your town in this listing, please email us at townline@townline.org)…
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
Become a member: An open letter to our readers
Dear Reader: For the past 33 years, The Town Line has pledged a mission statement to “create a vibrant rural community connecting our towns, organizations and individuals through communication, education and public dialogue.” It’s all part of The Town Line’s mission to be a positive force in our community…
Obituaries
WINSLOW – Beatrice “Aunt Bea” Hafenecker, 88, passed peacefully on July 28, 2021. Bea was born in Waterville, on October 11, 1932, to parents John Julius Hafenecker and Lorette Brochu… and remembering 8 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, September 10, 2021
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: Ben Pinette, Sidney.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Have you ever gone to bed on a warm summer night, and seen this thing flying around that resembles a large mosquito? It happens to me all the time at camp…
FINANCIAL FOCUS
by Sasha Fitzpatrick | If you’re getting close to retirement, you’re probably thinking about the ways your life will soon be changing. And one key transition involves your income – instead of being able to count on a regular paycheck, as you’ve done for decades, you’ll now need to put together an income stream on your own. How can you get started?…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Century Custom Records, once based in Cape Elizabeth, released an LP, Symphony Sounds from the Colby Campus, an anthology of live performances of the Colby Community Symphony Orchestra conducted by its late Music Director Ermanno F. Comparetti during the 1970-1971 seasons…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | It is well known by now that I love the Farmer’s Almanac! I get newsletters from them, and they are just as good as the book somedays. This latest newsletter had 13 Ways to Improve Your Luck, written by Jaime McLeod, one of their journalists. Please do check their stuff and ours online. You never know what neat stuff you may find…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | I came across this March 25, 2010, issue of The Town Line newspaper with those who paint together, stay together article written by Lyn Rowden. ” Welcome to Painting Pals club,” greeted Marilyn Rogers when my son, Aaron, and I turned up at MSAD #54 Adult Education to see what this unusual little club in Skowhegan is all about…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | This has proven to be a very hard time for active military as well as our veterans. I am a veteran myself as you know and I have family and friends both active military and veteran. I have worked with veterans for more than 40 years and have never seen anything as heart wrenching as the happenings of late…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | Following a challenging year, it may be difficult to get back into a healthy routine. Summer is a great time to think about what you can do to improve your health. Wherever you are on your journey to active and healthy living, there are things you can do to help you get or stay on track…