Issue for January 19, 2023

Celebrating 34 years of local news

Vassalboro town manager retires: Makes major “career” change

Mary Sabins is making a major career change, from managing a town of about 4,500 people to managing flowers. Vassalboro’s just-retired town manager has started classes in the Maine State Florists and Growers Association Professional Certified Florists Program… by Mary Grow

Town News

Planners review suggested ordinance amendments

CHINA – China Planning Board members discussed suggested ordinance amendments and the town’s 2020 comprehensive plan at their Jan. 10 meeting…

HealthReach welcomes Melanie Morin

ALBION/PALERMO – This March, staff at Lovejoy Health Center and Sheepscot Valley Health Center will be welcoming Melanie Morin, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, to the team…

Legislative bills submitted by area senators and representatives

CENTRAL ME – List of legislative bills sponsored by local senators and representatives…

Name that film!

Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is February 2, 2023…

Local happenings

Karen Hatch named community program director

VASSALBORO – During the FY22 Vassalboro budget process a new part-time position, “Community Program Director”, was funded as of July 1, 2022, to not only oversee the youth sports aspect of the recreation department but to also bring new recreational programs to the Community. A “little” history…

Relief fund set up for Ann and Peter Bako

PALERMO – Following the devastating house fire early the morning of January 5, the Palermo Community Foundation set up a special account to receive donations for Ann and Peter Bako. The Bakos were not at home when the fire started, so they lost everything, with no insurance. They were left with the clothes on their backs, their vehicles, their dog, and each other…

Jeremy Croft earns Eagle Scout rank

SIDNEY – Jeremy Tilson Croft, of Sidney, received Scouting’s Eagle Scout rank during a ceremony on Wednesday, January 4, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on Washington Street, in Waterville. Family, friends, and Scouts from Troop #417 and Troop #401 were on hand to watch the culmination of years of work… by Chuck Mahaleris

Eight local scouts complete training

CENTRAL ME – Eight Scout leaders completed Youth Protection Training at a course held at the China Baptist Church, on January 4, 2023. Joe Poulin, of Oakland, who serves as the training chairman for Pine Tree Council, led the program… by Chuck Mahaleris

Big Brothers, Big Sisters needed for 100 waiting Littles

CENTRAL ME – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine (BBBSMM) kicks off the new year and National Mentoring Month in January with an effort to recruit adult volunteers in the community to serve as mentors to 100 children waiting to be matched… by Monica Charette

Rotary Club wraps up successful auction

WATERVILLE – The 59th annual Waterville Rotary Auction with hundreds of gifts, services and discount items wrapped up the first week of December. Every year, for more than half a century, this important community event has supported Rotary’s efforts to make a difference in the community…

OPINION: Until asked, solar company will not offer anything

VASSALBORO – The Maine Street Maine Coalition presents a fresh look at the current situation regarding Solar Inc. and the Vassalboro Site Planning – Solar Ordinance. The community, landowners, and town representatives must demand that this unknown guest coming to live large in this house, having the expectation of being here beyond most of our lives, – to stay for decades – should arrive with a thankful heart and a gift for Vassalboro… by Jerry Hill

EVENTS: Gaslight Theater presents 2023 Season of Laughter

HALLOWELL – Gaslight Theater proudly presents its “2023 Season of Laughter” starting with Love is Murder in February. Love is Murder, a comedy by Tim Kelly, will be directed by Gaslight Theater’s Matthew McLaughlin, at Hallowell City Hall Auditorium, at 1 Winthrop Street, in Hallowell. The show will be produced over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, February February 10, 11,12,17, 18, 19. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m…

PHOTO: Four generations gather

VASSALBORO – A reunion of four generations of mothers and daughters came together on Christmas Day, 2022…

PHOTO: Frisbee relays

VASSALBORO – On Monday January 9, 2023, Tiger Den #410 members got together to learn about teamwork, good sportsmanship, following rules, and how to hustle…

PHOTO: Local scouts clear cemetery markers of snow

AUGUSTA/WINDSOR – Each year thousands of service members are remembered in National and State Veterans Cemeteries. This year VFW Post #887 and Troop/Pack #603, of Augusta/Windsor, cleared the markers and stones during a snowstorm to honor over 30 of who have not been recognized before… by Chuck Mahaleris

PHOTO: Helping out

VASSALBORO – Brionna Charlebois helps out in the kitchen during the Vassalboro seniors cribbage day, as part of the Vassalboro Community
program, headed by Karen Hatch…

PHOTO: OK…What is it?

The Town Line is seeking help in identifying this object, that was submitted by a Winslow resident. Tell us what it is by sending email to townline@townline.org

Colby Carrier receives outstanding academic score

SKOWHEGAN – Bethel University, in McKenzie, Tennessee, recognizes undergraduates for their outstanding academic work. Dr. Walter Butler, president of Bethel University, announced that Colby Carrier, of Skowhegan, was named to the College of Arts and Sciences fall semester 2022 Honor Roll…

Cameron Goodwin named to Lasell University dean’s list

WINSLOW – Cameron Goodwin, a Lasell University, in Newton, Massachusetts, student from Winslow , was named to the dean’s list for his academic performance in the fall 2022 semester…

Ashley Carrier makes the dean’s list at Shenandoah

MADISON – Ashley Carrier, of Madison, is one of 1,087 students who earned a spot on the Dean’s List at Shenandoah University, in Winchester, Virginia, for the fall 2022 semester…

Davis named to dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University

WATERVILLE – Lozetta Davis, of Waterville, was named to the dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University, in Bourbonnais, Illinois, during the recently completed fall 2022 semester…

FICTION: The House, part 3: Tiger, tiger, burning bright

As the three were getting ready to go on their first exploration adventure of the house, Miri asked Jake if he had had a chance to find out about the builder and owner of the house… by Peg Pellerin

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Kennebec River floods – Part 2 (new)

KENNEBEC VALLEY HISTORY – After the great freshet of 1832, with which last week’s article ended, Augusta business leaders went ahead with their plan to build a dam across the Kennebec River to power mills; and a Fairfield company dammed part of the river there… by Mary Grow [1940 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Kennebec River floods – Part 1

KENNEBEC VALLEY HISTORY – January in Maine seems like a good time to talk about weather, including floods. Some local historians collected a lot of information on the topic; others paid it little attention. Here is your writer’s proposal to share some past events… by Mary Grow [1978 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: The Burleigh family

PALERMO HISTORY – The Burleigh (sometimes spelled Burley) families were among the earliest to settle in the Kennebec Valley. One of Palermo’s early settlers was Moses Burleigh, and there were 19th-century Burleighs in other area towns. Millard Howard, in his Palermo history, said the Palermo family had been in America since 1648, when a Burley ancestor lived in Ipswich, Massachusetts… by Mary Grow [1782 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Christmas pre-20th century

CENTRAL ME HISTORY – This article is intended to complete the survey of pre-20th-century social activities in the central Kennebec Valley and, given the current date, to report on Christmas observances. An organization omitted last week, but covered earlier in this series, was the Patrons of Husbandry, the farmers’ organization commonly called the Grange… by Mary Grow [1646 words]

Webber’s Pond

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…

Give Us Your Best Shot!

The best recent photos from our readers!..

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Maine crime novelist Gerry Boyle to discuss new book

CHINA — Best selling crime novelist Gerry Boyle has released his greatly anticipated book, Robbed Blind, #13 in the Jack McMorrow mystery series from Islandport Press. Boyle’s signature character, Jack McMorrow, is one of Maine’s most popular literary characters in the state. Gerry Boyle will visit the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, at 37 Main St., in China Village, at 2 p.m., on Sunday, January 22… and many other local events!

Obituaries

WHITEFIELD – Kenneth R. Freeman, 86, of Whitefield, died Thursday, January 12, 2023, at his home. He was born in Augusta on January 14, 1936, the son of Edward and Lena (Bradley) Freeman… and remembering 3 others.

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 9, 2023

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: Bob Poulin, Winslow

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | With spring and summer several months away, now is not too early to be thinking about the browntail moth caterpillar. Following a severe outbreak in 2021 (a summer in which I had six battles with the rash they are famous for delivering), I saw only one caterpillar all of 2022. That doesn’t mean we are scott free…

SMALL SPACE GARDENING

by Melinda Myers | Boost the flavor and nutritional value of winter meals by growing a container of greens indoors. Plant, tend and harvest greens for garden-fresh flavor now and throughout the year…

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

by Dan Beaulieu | How well do your customers know you? Do they know every service that you offer? If you are a landscaping company, do all your customers know that you offer snow removal and roof clearing in the winter as well?…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Former 19th President Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822-1893) wrote at the age of 19 of his determination “to use what means I have to acquire a character distinguished for energy, firmness and perseverence”…

LIFE ON THE PLAINS

by Roland D. Hallee | This week, I’ll let Peg Pellerin tell her story about the cuisine on The Plains

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) | Here’s a hint to help everyone breathe easier this holiday season: Before you head out the door to your next holiday function, make sure your breath is set for close conversation by knowing the culprits of bad breath and the simple solutions that keep you safe from catching an unwelcome whiff…