Issue for August 5, 2021
Sam Fegel achieves Eagle Scout status
Samuel Dale Fegel, of Troop #417, was presented Scouting’s Eagle Scout medal during a ceremony surrounded by friends and family, at the Waterville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints… by Chuck Mahaleris
Your Local News
Brownies and Broadband draws small audience, but lively discussion
CHINA — The China Broadband Committee’s (CBC) second public informational session, held July 29 and publicized as Brownies and Broadband, drew a small audience and a lively discussion, just like the first one…
Planners continue shoreland zoning discussions
CHINA — The three China Planning Board members available to attend the July 27 meeting continued discussion of planned amendments to shoreland zoning regulations, but postponed a decision. The main stumbling block is the lot coverage question…
China Community Food Pantry: Nonprofit Spotlight
CHINA — Nearly 30 years ago, Lee and Ann Austin founded the China Community Food Pantry with one goal in mind: to help reduce food insecurity in central Maine. The couple had owned and operated the Willow Beach Camps Resort on China Lake for more than a decade, and after closing the establishment, they were looking for a way to give back to a community that had been so supportive of them over the years… by Eric W. Austin
Palermo Community Foundation: Nonprofit Spotlight
PALERMO — Originally known as the Palermo Community Foundation, the organization was chartered in 1996 by a group of friends led by John Potter, Jim Osier, Dennis Sturgis, Ted Bigos, Mike McCarty, Eben Bradstreet, and Herb Flint. Their plan was to serve the needs of the community by providing a building for local groups to meet, learn, share ideas and talent, and to create a more sustainable community… submitted by Connie Bellet
China Community Days set for this weekend
CHINA — The China Community Days are set for Friday, August 6 through Sunday, August 8. On Friday, there will be a free BBQ dinner, lawn games and movie night…
St. Michael Parish collecting toothpaste and shampoo to help single mothers
AUGUSTA — In the coming weeks, St. Michael Parish, in Augusta, will help local single mothers who need assistance keeping up with the expenses of caring for their children…
Vassalboro library animal events planned
VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Public Library will be sponsoring two popular live animal events in Vassalboro as a part of their end of summer reading. Families from surrounding communities are invited to attend. This event is free for all ages with donations welcomed…
Legion collecting school supplies in MSAD #59 and #74
MADISON — American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison is once again collecting school supplies for children and staff in its local school districts (Madison MSAD #59 and Carrabec RSU #74)…
Delightful “All Things Blueberry” Festival promises loads of family fun
WINSLOW — One of Maine’s all-time most popular, beloved, and downright yummy summer events—Winslow’s annual Blueberry Festival—is coming this year on Saturday, August 14, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., to Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow. Admission to the festival grounds is FREE…
Rose’s Room returns to Winslow on August 26
WINSLOW — Following a pandemic hiatus, a group that offers support for families of individuals behind bars will return to Winslow in August. “Rose’s Room” is a monthly, nonsectarian support group for those with a loved one in prison or jail. The next meeting is set for Thursday, August 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Joseph Center…
Gibbs Library to feature Maine artist Kay Sullivan
WASHINGTON — Kay Sullivan is a Maine-based artist whose work from nature reflects time’s passing: its rhythms, cycles, seasons. Kay received her MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a juried member of the Pastel Society of America…
China to hold WindowDressers workshop this fall
CHINA — The China for a Lifetime Committee is busy planning for a WindowDressers workshop that will take place this November 3 – 7. The initiative is a volunteer-led, “barn-raising” effort to construct low-cost “window inserts” to reduce residential energy bills…
The Town Line’s long-time volunteer passes away at age 92
WINDSOR — Gladys B. Hewett, 92, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at MaineGeneral Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center at Glenridge, in the Comfort Care Center, in Augusta, following a brief illness. She was born in South China, on March 16, 1929, the daughter and only child of the late George E. and Erlena C. (Saben) Bartlett…
China Lake annual meeting reflects on association mission
CHINA — The 2021 Annual Meeting of the China Lake Association (CLA) was a reflection on how vital their mission is to restore and protect the quality of China Lake. The many speakers and quality of the information shared at this meeting demonstrated the important collaborations CLA has forged with the numerous related environmental organizations and governmental departments… by Jeanne Marquis
Palermo library board’s Christmas in July meeting held
PALERMO — It was “Christmas in July” at the Palermo Community Library’s recent annual meeting. The scene was festive with a garland of twinkling Christmas lights strung around the refreshment table and a fire blazing on the large screen TV…
Skowhegan scouts hold annual crossover ceremony
SKOWHEGAN — Skowhegan Cubs Scouts held their annual cross over ceremony on July 2 and Arrow of Light recipient John “LJ” Easler completed all requirements in order to leave Cub Scout Pack #485 and start his new adventures in Scout Troop #485… by Chuck Mahaleris
PHOTO: Courtesy boat inspectors on the job at Sheepscot Lake
PALERMO — Sheepscot Lake Association Courtesy Boat Inspectors Holden McKenney and Aiden French work at Sheepscot Lake’s boat launch to help inspect boats and protect the lake from nvasive species…
PHOTO: New brown belts
WINSLOW — These Huard’s Martial Arts students earned their advanced brown belt ranks on Saturday July 17…
New Dimensions FCU announces results of Cruisin’ for a Cure car show
WATERVILLE — New Dimensions Federal Credit Union showed up at the Robert LaFleur Airport, in Waterville, a new location for their 7th Annual Cruisin’ For a Cure Car Show the morning of June 5, 2021, unsure of what to expect…
Vassalboro Sestercentennial Scavenger Hunt
Item #16:
A picture of you taken beside a “Welcome to Vassalboro” sign.
Winslow resident named to UMass Lowell dean’s list
WINSLOW — Treva Campbell, of Winslow, has been recognized for achieving academic distinction at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, in Lowell, Massachusetts…
Sean Spillane receives degree in master of science
CHELSEA — Sean Spillane, of Chelsea, received a degree in master of science, engineering management, from Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, Missouri, on May 14-15….
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Churches – Part 6 (new)
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]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Coburn Classical Institute
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — The school that in 1883 became Coburn Classical Institute started in 1821 as the first of what later became four (according to Ernest Cummings Marriner) or five (according to an anonymous website author) college preparatory schools (also called grammar schools, academies, or institutes) associated with what is now Colby College… by Mary Grow [3828 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Oak Grove School
VASSALBORO HISTORY — We now digress – for a change – from descriptions of churches on the National Register of Historic Places to the Oak Grove School, because of its association with the Sophia D. Bailey Chapel discussed last week (and also known as the Oak Grove Chapel)…. by Mary Grow [1801 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Churches – Part 5
VASSALBORO HISTORY — Returning to the list of churches on the National Register of Historic Places, the next to be discussed is one that readers met briefly last week. The Sophia D. Bailey Chapel, at Oak Grove School, (the school had several names; Oak Grove School is simplest) was originally known as the River Meeting House. It was where China Quakers worshipped before the East Vassalboro meeting house and then China’s own Pond Meeting House were constructed… by Mary Grow [1595 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)…
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
VASSALBORO – John R. DeMerchant, 81, passed peacefully on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at Woodlands Senior Living facility, in Waterville, following a lengthy illness. John was born on November 3, 1939, in Ft. Fairfield, the son of Ralph and Lillian DeMerchant… and remembering 7 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, August 13, 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: B.J Bradstreeet, Palermo.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Slugs! They have been raising havoc with my tomatoes, turnip green and even marigolds. Last year they were responsible for the complete destruction of my cucumber, green pepper and marigold plantings at camp. There seems to be no end to them. That raised the question: what are slugs, what are their usefulness and how do we get rid of them?…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | Last week we received a Thank You card from the company who had just completed a roofing job at our house. It was not a large job as far as roofs go, just a couple of porch roofs that needed to be replaced. And once again as far as costs for putting on a new roof this was a not that expensive…relatively speaking…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Season 4 of Perry Mason had a particularly compelling episode, The Case of the Misguided Missile, which was first aired May 6, 1961. It dealt with a missile launch and provided some background footage at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in central California…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | This week I have some recent news which I am going to start with. It is about the dedication of a new name for the Solon, Embden Bridge and the subject is Jotham and Emma Stevens. This is the info regarding the bridge dedication which took place at the bridge on Sunday, July 25, 2021, with the following family and friends present…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | I believe I found this material on Facebook, a social website, and I really wanted to share it. I don’t know who the original author is but I liked the thought behind this. And, of course, I had to add a few of my own thoughts. Any thoughts or comments you have I would be glad to hear from you…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | If your family is like most, you’ve spent months preparing for the joys and challenges that arise with the arrival of a new baby—and if your family is like many, you’ve discovered not everything can be planned…