Issue for February 22, 2024
Vassalboro select board honors scouting
On the 114th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, the Vassalboro Board of Selectmen read a proclamation by Town Manager Aaron Miller recognizing the anniversary of Scouting on February 8 and also recognizing the service to the community performed by Scouts in both Cub Scout Pack #410 and Scout Troop #410… by Chuck Mahaleris
Young Entrepreneur in the making
Wyatt Woodbury, 13, of Fairfield, started making soap in the summer between fifth and sixth grade. He started with just a cold process kit from Brambleberry. Woodbury first wanted to make soap after watching the YouTube channel Royalty Soaps, which follows Katie Carson and her soap business of the same name… by Mark Huard
Town News
Palermo rep., China members have amicable discussion on Palermo residents’ use of transfer station
CHINA – China transfer station committee members, including Palermo representative Robert Kurek, had an amicable discussion at their Feb. 13 meeting, even though one of the topics was whether Palermo residents will continue to have access to the China facility…
Planners hear plans for community solar farm
CHINA – At their Feb. 13 meeting, China planning board members heard preliminary plans for a community solar farm in a gravel pit off Windsor Road (Route 32 South) and, as expected, denied an application to convert a building on China Village’s Main Street to apartments…
Select board approves building codes
WINDSOR – Windsor Select Board members in attendance, Chester Barnes Jr. was absent, unanimously approved the town of Windsor’s building codes, 4-0, at their meeting on January 30, 2024. Sections of the codes the select board had specific questions about were reviewed in depth. It was also noted that yearly reviews of ordinances will be done as needed…
School board members see small piece of budget
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro school board members got an introduction to some small pieces of the 2024-25 school budget at their Feb. 13 meeting. There will be more budget discussion at future meetings…
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
TEAM PHOTO: Waterville Travel Basketball, Grades 3/4
WATERVILLE – Team photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography…
You can stay active in the winter in more ways than one
CENTRAL ME – What is the key to staying active in the winter months? Find an activity that you enjoy! Moving your body regularly is critical for good health. We know that exercise helps us manage our weight, blood pressure, prevent risk of falls, strengthens bones and muscle. Regular exercise also reduces the risk for certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and has been helpful with managing symptoms of anxiety and depression… by Brian Abbott, DO
Laura Jones announces candidacy for House
VASSALBORO – Laura Jones, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and Vassalboro native, has announced her election campaign for House District #61, in Vassalboro and part of Sidney…
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: “Toga! Toga!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is March 7, 2024…
Local students named to Hamilton College dean’s list
CENTRAL ME – The following local residents were named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College, in Clinton, New York, for the 2023 fall semester: Charles Haberstock, of Waterville, a junior majoring in economics and geosciences, is a graduate of Waterville High School. Maia Macek, of Madison, a junior majoring in art, is a graduate of The American School, in Japan.
Local students at Lasell U. named to fall dean’s list
CENTRAL ME – The fall 2023 dean’s list at Lasell University, in Newton, Massachusetts, includes students from the central Maine area. The following local students made the list: Alexis Grant, of Athens, Sydney Veilleux, of Skowhegan, Cameron Goodwin and Denali Norris, both of Winslow.
Kasen Sirois named to president’s list at Western New England University
SIDNEY – Western New England University (WNE), in Springfield, Massachusetts, has announced that Kasen Sirois, of Sidney, has been named to the president’s list for the Fall semester 2023. Sirois is majoring in communication/media and journalism.
Andrew Mayo named to dean’s list at Western New England University
SIDNEY – Western New England University (WNE), in Springfield, Massachusetts, has announced that Andrew Mayo, of Sidney, has been named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2023 semester. He is majoring in civil engineering.
Local resident named to dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College
WATERVILLE – Evelyn G. Mercier, of Waterville, was named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College, in Colchester, Vermont, for the Fall 2023 semester.
Josette Gilman named to dean’s list
CHINA – Josette Gilman, of China, was named to the Fall 2023 dean’s list at Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio.
Austin Wickett graduates
SKOWHEGAN – Austin Wickett, of Skowhegan, graduated with a Certificate in Small Business Management from York County Community College.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Maple Sunday weekend slated for March 23-24
CENTRAL ME – The Maine Maple Producers Association (MMPA) is pleased to announce the 41st Maine Maple Sunday Weekend on March 23-24, 2024. A favorite annual event, visitors are welcomed at local sugarhouses to celebrate Maine’s maple syrup in as many ways as possible…
EVENTS: AARP Tax-Aide program available in central Maine
CENTRAL ME – The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free federal and state income tax preparation and electronic filing to low-and moderate-income individuals. Returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers. The program is funded by the AARP Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable organization, and the IRS…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Free art class at Gibbs Library
WASHINGTON – Gibbs Library welcomes back artist and instructor Karen Jelenfy to teach a free art class on Abstract Landscape Painting, on Saturday, March 30, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bryant Room at Gibbs Library, in Washington… and many other local events!
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Joseph John Suga Jr., 84, passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. He was born in 1939, a son of Joseph J. Suga Sr. and Mary Ann (DiOrio) Suga… and remembering 12 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Windsor brooks named for early settlers (new)
WINDSOR HISTORY — Last week’s article was about ponds in Windsor that were named after people who settled or lived near them. According to Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history and Linwood Lowden’s 1993 Windsor history, several streams or brooks were also named in recognition of early residents… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: People for whom ponds are named – Part 4
WINDSOR HISTORY — Windsor is the southeasternmost of the dozen municipalities this series has included in the central Kennebec Valley. Henry Kingsbury called its shape unique in Kennebec County, with “four equal sides and four right angles”… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: People for whom ponds are named – Part 3
CHINA/ALBION HISTORY — A small pond shared between Albion and its southern neighbor, China, has been known as Dutton Pond for as long as your writer has lived in China. But the map of China in the 1856 and 1879 atlases of Kennebec County names it Pickerel Pond… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: People for whom ponds are named – Part 2
ALBION HISTORY — Moving east from Winslow to Albion, that town has Lovejoy Pond, named after an early family who settled beside it. Which family member came first is debated. Henry Kingsbury, in his Kennebec County history, named Rev. Daniel Lovejoy. Ruby Crosby Wiggin, in her history of Albion, said no, Daniel’s father, Francis Lovejoy, came first… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 14, 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: Aiden Cook, Augusta
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | As we look forward to saying “goodbye” to February and welcome March with open arms, a thought comes to mind of an old weather lore, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” In this case, it could be vice versa, considering the mild weather we have had as we usher in the third month of the year. So, it’s more like, “In like a lamb, out like a lion”…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | England in the Twentieth Century, by David Thomson, (1912-1970) is a very fine example of the brilliance in clarity, readability and thorough scholarship to be found quite often among historians from the British Isles. One could open this book anywhere and be drawn into the narrative alone…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(HEALTH) | You can keep your teeth for your lifetime. Here are some things you can do to maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth…