Issue for August 29, 2024
Windsor benefit concert
When was the last time you enjoyed a live concert put on by experienced, highly-skilled musicians and singers for a worthy cause? Friday evening, August 16, a concert upstairs in the Windsor Town Hall was a musical tribute paid to the life and music of Nat King Cole. The enjoyable music the Downeast Brass Quintet played is part of this country’s musical history… by Roberta Barnes
Central Maine ATV Glow Ride illuminates the night with community spirit
The Central Maine ATV Club hosted its highly anticipated ATV Glow Ride, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with approximately 300 machines and over 1,000 participants for a night of community, fun, and charity. The event kicked off at the Best Western. The parade of brightly lit ATVs made its way through Waterville’s Main Street, continued up Front Street, College Ave, and eventually over to North Street. From there, riders continued their journey through the Fairfield trail system towards Norridgewock before looping back onto the scenic Kennebec Valley Rail trail, in Fairfield, and parts of Oakland. The ride culminated back in Waterville, completing an unforgettable night of camaraderie and celebration… by Mike Guarino
Town News
Select board approves final version of November ballot
CHINA – At their Aug. 26 meeting, China select board members approved the final version of a Nov. 5 local ballot that will include asking voters to adopt or reject several documents. In a series of unanimous votes, board members approved asking for voters’ action on…
Voters to decide amendments to land development code
CHINA – At the polls on Nov. 5, China voters will be asked to approve amendments to two sections of China’s Land Development Code and to the development district map…
LETTERS: Maine won’t wait on climate change
from Jane Margesson (Director AARP Maine Communications) – Your voice matters in Maine’s fight against climate change! The Maine Climate Council is updating the state’s action plan, “Maine Won’t Wait” and they want your input. This action plan addresses important topics such as strategies to protect our communities and prepare for the future…
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)…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Vassalboro Days Sunday at the Methodist Church
VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) is holding a special worship service during Vassalboro Days, on Sunday, September 8, at 10 a.m. when the history of their church will be shared…
EVENTS: St. Cecilia Chamber Choir holds auditions for December lessons and carols
NEWCASTLE – St. Cecilia Chamber Choir is holding auditions for all voice parts as they begin preparing the December Ceremony of Lessons and Carols concert…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Public supper in Freedom
FREEDOM – There will be a public supper on Saturday, September 7, from 4:30 – 6 p.m., at the Freedom Congregational Church. The menu includes ham, mashed potato, gravy, baked beans, vegetable, dinner rolls, punch, coffee and assorted homemade desserts… and many other local events!
Obituaries
WHITEFIELD – Kenneth Leroy Cunningham, Jr., 83, passed on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. He was born April 3, 1941, to Kenneth Cunningham Sr. and Rachel (Small) Cunningham. Kenny had six siblings, Patricia (Glidden) Cunningham, Kathleen (Wrigley) Cunningham, Linda (Estes) Cunningham, Thomas Cunningham, Dorothy (Shuman) Cunningham and Ruth Cunningham…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Early Sidney Settlers (new)
SIDNEY HISTORY — Researching former Sidney residents on line, your writer has repeatedly come across a colorful small book entitled Early Sidney, by Chloe B., with a photo of the historic Levi Powers house on the front… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Lovejoys & Marshes
SIDNEY HISTORY — Previous articles in this series have mentioned two other early Sidney families who intermarried with Bacons and Faughts, the Lovejoys and Marshes. This article will provide more information about both… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney early settlers: the Faught family
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
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 12, 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: Tracie Kelley, Palmyra
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | According to Zachary Smith, of Smith’s Pest Management, summer heatwaves have created the ‘perfect storm’ for a surge in rodent activity…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | As is often the case, I wasn’t sure what this month’s article would be about and had asked Don to give it some thought so we could talk about it last week. And, as is often the case, it didn’t take very long for that question to be answered!…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Clark Gable (1901-1960) might not have achieved the same level of greatness as, for example, Sir Lawrence Olivier, Rod Steiger, George C. Scott and, among the living, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branaugh, when it came to getting inside the skin of a range of different characters…
MY POINT OF VIEW
by Gary Kennedy | Well here we are again, Labor Day September 2, and for many Mainers the beginning of another season. Children begin another school year while mama makes all the necessary preparation for all the coming events. Dad starts thinking about wrapping up the home in preparation of whatever the Farmer’s Almanac has extrapolated using the wisdom of Father Time…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | Don’t take your eyes for granted. Take these easy steps to keep your peepers healthy…