Issue for February 6, 2025
China’s garden project aims to unite the community
In an era where community spirit is more important than ever, China’s new garden project aims to bring people together by fostering a sense of connection and collaboration through a shared love of gardening… by Eric W. Austin
Cabin Fever Quilt Show and luncheon on tap in Vassalboro
A “Cabin Fever Quilt Show and Luncheon” will be held in Vassalboro on Saturday, February 15, (storm date February 22) at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), 614 Main Street.. “What better way to spend a mid-winter Saturday than taking in a display of beautiful new and vintage quilts,” said one of the event coordinators, Dale Potter-Clark…
Town News
Select board hears manager’s initial budget draft
CHINA – All six China Budget Committee members and four of the five Select Board members watched Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood’s Feb. 3 on-screen presentation of the initial draft 2025-26 town budget. Each went home with a binder containing an inch of paper detailing past, present and proposed finances…
Planners OK flood hazard development permit for landing
CHINA – At their Jan. 28 meeting, China Planning Board members approved a flood hazard development permit for the town’s planned rebuilding of Town Landing Road, in South China Village…
Palermo planning board to meet February 13
PALERMO – The Palermo Planning Board will meet Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Palermo Town Office, at 6 p.m. Purpose – to conduct official review of plans for the proposed Pine Hill subdivision on Hostile Valley Road, Tax Map R11, Lot 27C.
Vassalboro Methodists adapt to changes
VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Methodists first professed their faith in 1794 when the itinerant minister Rev. Jesse Lee preached at Getchell’s Corner, and they have been on the move and adapting to change ever since… by Dale Potter-Clark
AARP Maine Vital Voices survey highlights needs and concerns of older Maine residents
CENTRAL ME — In an ongoing effort to better understand the needs and attitudes of older residents in the state, in 2024 AARP Maine conducted a Vital Voices survey with 708 Maine residents aged 45 and older…
China Trails are open
CENTRAL ME — As of Monday evening, February 3, China snowmobile trails are open. Riders should use them at risk of damaging their machine. The China Four Seasons Club volunteers are grooming to build firm bases, and the forecast of more snow is encouraging.
Carrabec High 2nd quarter honors
NORTH ANSON — List of students who made the 2nd quarter honor roll at Carrabec High School.
Area students on University of New England dean’s list
CENTRAL ME — The following students have been named to the dean’s list for the 2024 fall semester at the University of New England, in Biddeford. From Augusta, Mallory Erickson, Tyler Pelletier and Daraun White; China Village, Nabila Harrington; Jefferson, Mallory Audette and Ava White; Liberty, Mckenzie Kunesh; Oakland, Francesca Caccamo, Abigail Fortier; Sidney, Brady Doucette; Skowhegan, Elizabeth Connelly, Zoe Lambke and Ashley Mason; South China, Richard Winn; Vassalboro, Adam Ochs; Waterville, Asher Grazulis, Emma Michaud; Grace Petley, Emilee Richards, Elizabeth Schmitt and Evan Watts.
SNHU Announces Fall 2024 Dean’s List
CENTRAL ME — Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), in Manchester, New Hampshire, congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2024 dean’s list. The fall terms run from September to December. Tamara Butler, of Madison, Stormy Wentworth, of Fairfield, Julie Abbott, of Winslow, and Eireann Cleary, of Windsor.
Dean’s, president’s lists students named for UA Fall term
CENTRAL ME — A total of 14,631 students enrolled during Fall Semester 2024 at The University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s). Local students include: Elizabeth Hardy, of South China, was named to the Presidents List, and Alexis Alcott, of Windsor, was named to the president’s list.
Western New England University announces outstanding academic achievements
CENTRAL ME — Western New England University (WNE), in Springfield, Massachsuetts, has announced the outstanding academic achievements of over 750 students who have been named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2024 semester. The following local students were named to the dean’s list: Andrew Mayo, of Sidney, and Gemma Kennedy, of Skowhegan
Webber’s Pond Comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident…
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: “I’m walking here! I’m walking here!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is February 6, 2025.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Waterville Historical Society monthly history talk on Ed Muskie
WATERVILLE – February’s history talk is on the road, just a few streets away at 38 Gold Street, Waterville, at the Muskie Community Center of Spectrum Generations! It is a fitting place since this will be about Edmund S. Muskie…
EVENTS: The Waterville Opera House raises the curtain on its 2025 season with The Cottage
WATERVILLE – The Waterville Opera House (WOH) kicks off its 2025 theatrical season January 31 – February 9, with The Cottage, a hilarious new comedy by Sandy Rustin…
EVENTS: Erskine Academy to host 8th grade open house
CHINA – Erskine Academy invites all eighth-grade students and their parents from the surrounding communities to attend the 8th Grade Open House, on Wednesday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the gym…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: So. China library to hold open house
CHINA – The South China Public Library will hold a free open house on Wednesday, February 19, from 10 a.m. – noon, at 27 Jones Road… and many other local events!
Obituaries
CORNVILLE – Brenda Lee (James) Hogate, 74, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. She was born in Bangor, on March 4, 1950, to Rex and Thelma (Stubbs) James…
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Albion schools (new)
ALBION HISTORY — The Town of Albion, north of China and east of Winslow, had half a dozen European families by 1790, according to Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history. The area, including until 1818 the north end of present-day China, was organized as Freetown Plantation in 1802… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China High Schools – part 2
CHINA HISTORY — Yet another private high school in China, Erskine Academy, opened in September 1883 and is thriving today. The China bicentennial history gives a detailed account of its origins: it became a private academy because China voters at the beginning of the 1880s refused to accept donated money for a public high school… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China High Schools – part 1
CHINA HISTORY — The Town of China had five high schools at various times in the 19th century. The one in China Village lasted into the 20th century; Erskine Academy in South China (next week’s topic) was founded in 1883 and is thriving in 2025… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: China elementary schools (Continued into the 20th century)
CHINA HISTORY — As mentioned in previous articles about 19th-century Maine elementary schools, in 1894 the state legislature passed a law that began, “The school districts in all towns in this state are hereby abolished”… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 13, 2025
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: Nichole Bilodeau, W. Gardiner
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Recently, my daughter and one of my granddaughters have expressed an interest in bringing home a Maine coon cat. I’ve heard a lot about coon cats, but what makes them so different, and their size…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | As I mentioned last time, I would begin to show you some of the comparisons which seem similar in nature but are definitely not the same and it should never be assumed by anyone, especially non-medical employees that they are…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | The late 1980s tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union and its Iron Curtain precipitated, among other benefits, a flood of available classical recordings from very talented artists such as, to name a few examples, pianist Dubrovka Tomsic and conductors Anton Nanut, Marko Munih, Heinz Rogner etcs…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions…