Issue for July 18, 2024
Nonagenarian writes book, shares at reading in Palermo
“Guest speaker Jeannette Wood Scates shared excerpts from her recent memoir, There Wasn’t Always Peace in the Valley, with an appreciative audience at the Palermo Library’s 22nd annual board meeting, held July 14 at the library… by Mary Grow
Mr. Drew and His Animals, Too come to Albert Church Brown Memorial Library
Saturday, July 13, snakes, spiders, and a crowd of 125 children and adults descended on Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, in China. Mr. Drew started small with how insects fill important roles in pollination and cleaning up. The fun especially started as he pulled many large snakes, turtles and large spiders from his many boxes. He emphasized responsible ownership and offered to serve as technical support before buying animals…
Town News
Select board pays bills at abbreviated meeting
CHINA – China select board members met for barely over a quarter of an hour July 15, using the time to hear reports from town employees and spend more than half a million dollars…
Planners begin discussions on two new proposed town ordinances
CHINA – China Planning Board members began discussion of two proposed new town ordinances at their July 9 meeting. Chairman Toni Wall expressed the hope that they would be ready for submission to town voters by the Nov. 5 state and federal election day…
Palermo Library holds annual meeting
PALERMO – The Palermo Library Board held its 22nd annual meeting at the library on Sunday, July 14. In addition to accepting annual reports, the board re-elected Chris Diesch chairman; Pam Swift secretary; and Diane Bent, treasurer. Diesch thanked the volunteers who keep the library open…
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: “A man’s got to know his limitations.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is August 8, 2024.
Webber’s Pond comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)…
AARP Awards Grants to two central Maine towns
CENTRAL ME – AARP has announced 14 organizations throughout Maine will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants – part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide. The towns of Vassalboro and Skowhegan…
Mya Williams senior class president
FAIRFIELD – Mya Williams, Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, class president, graduated top 10 in her class. Mya has had a dream of being a teacher since she was little. Mya will be attending University of Maine at Farmington for education…
Scholarships available for young musicians
CENTRAL ME – The Kennebec Performing Arts Company encourages the participation of young musicians in its groups. Student members entering grades 9-12 are eligible to apply for the $500 scholarship for tuition to a summer camp or music program of their choice…
Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce announces Joseph B. Ezhaya scholarship award winner
PITTSFIELD – Olivia Varney, of Pittsfield, was selected as the scholarship recipient from a field of applicants. Varney graduated this spring from the Maine Central Institute High School, in Pittsfield, class of 2024…
Local sudents honored at Annual SkillsUSA Workforce Development Event
CENTRAL ME — Two Career and technical students in central Maine were recognized at the 2024 SkillsUSA Championships, held in Atlanta, on June 26-27…Christopher Pottle, from Winthrop and Mikayla Monaghan, from West Gardiner…
Lasell Univ. students named to Spring 2024 dean’s list
CENTRAL ME — Lasell University, in Newton, Massachusetts, spring 2024 dean’s list includes students from the central Maine area. They are Cameron Goodwin, of Winslow, and Sydney Veilleux, of Skowhegan.
Local students named to dean’s list at Bates College
CENTRAL ME – More than 575 students were named to the dean’s list at Bates College, in Lewiston, for Winter 2024. They included local students, Ruby Marden, of Sidney, Nate Pierce, of Fairfield, and Sophie Wheeler, of Skowhegan.
Pellerin earns degree from Clark University
WINSLOW – Anna Marceau Pellerin, of Winslow, received a degree from Clark University, in Worcester, Massachusetts, during the university’s 120th Commencement exercises on Monday, May 20. Pellerin graduated with a master of public administration. Pellerin was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda honor society.
Local residents named to dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College
WINSLOW – The following local students were named to the dean’s list at Saint Michael’s College for the Spring 2024 semester, in Colchester, Vermont. Cambelle A. Nutting, of Vassalboro, and Evelyn G. Mercier, of Waterville.
Local happenings
EVENTS: China Historical Society going back to school
CHINA – The China Historical Society will be hosting a remembrance and tour of the 75-year-old China (Middle) School following the annual meeting on Thursday, July 18. It is intended these activities will begin in the gym of the building, on Lakeview Drive, at about 6 p.m. Head Custodian Tim Roddy has offered to be the tour guide and though there is some on-going work, he is confident there will be plenty of access… by Bob Bennett
EVENTS: Learn more about loons and loon restoration at Sheepscot Lake Assn. annual meeting
PALERMO – The Sheepscot Lake Association will be hosting Maine Audubon Biologist Ethan Daly at their annual meeting Thursday, July 25, to discuss the Audubon’s Loon Restoration Project. Ethan Daly will be discussing Loon Restoration…
EVENTS: Maine Open Farm Day set for Sunday, July 28
CENTRAL ME – Experience farm life and learn about the origins of your food on Maine Open Farm Day, held this year on Sunday, July 28. This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for families, educators, and anyone curious about agriculture to connect with farmers and explore Maine’s vitally important agricultural community…
EVENTS: Food, Fun, and Friends meet at the community cookout
PALERMO – The fun begins at 4 p.m., on Saturday, August 3, at 26 Veterans Way, in Palermo, as people gather for a celebration of summer in the Palermo Community Garden behind the gray mobile home…
EVENTS: “No Spring Chickens” & prizes at Democratic lobster bake
WALDOBORO – “No Spring Chickens” – Two chicks with guitars, dynamic vocals, and lush harmonies” – will provide music during the Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC) Family Fun Day Lobster Bake on Sunday, Aug. 4, in Waldoboro…
EVENTS: Oakfest scheduled for July 26-28
OAKLAND – Come experience a weekend of family fun Friday through Sunday, July 26 – July 28, and see why Oakfest is rated among the “10 Best Outdoor Festivals in Maine” this summer!…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Albion celebrates 200 years
ALBION – A full day of activities is planned for Saturday, July 27, 2024. Starting with a 10 a.m. Parade led by 195th Army National Guard Band, on Main Street; followed by food, entertainment for all ages, games, contests, Beano, photo contest, displays, etc… and many other local events!
Obituaries
PALERMO – Elden Lee Glidden, 70, a lifetime resident of Palermo, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. He was born on February 10, 1954, a son of Elberton and Helen (Higgins) Glidden…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Fairfield (new)
FAIRFIELD HISTORY — This article brings readers to Fairfield, northernmost of the four municipalities in this series on the west bank of the Kennebec River. Fairfield is across the river from Benton and Clinton. Fairfield is one of the two towns in the series outside Kennebec County; it is far enough north to be in Somerset County… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Albion
ALBION HISTORY — Of the town and city names your writer has explored in this subseries, none has yet been as frustrating as the Town of Albion. Sources agree on names and dates. In 1802, Freetown Plantation was incorporated, including most of present-day Albion and the northern end of what is now the separate town of China… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: China – Palermo
CHINA/PALERMO HISTORY — The next town north of Windsor is China, which, like Windsor, began life as a plantation and did not acquire its present name for some years after the first Europeans settled there… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Windsor
WINDSOR HISTORY — Your writer has chosen next to discuss the eastern towns, starting with the southernmost, Augusta’s eastern neighbor, Windsor. Henry Kingsbury commented in his Kennebec County history, at the beginning of his chapter on Windsor, that the town had “two of its sides parallel with the general course of the Kennebec river,” though it had no frontage… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, August 15, 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: Nancy Marston, Weeks Mills
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Have you seen one of these? The spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula, is an invasive planthopper that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapes, hops, stone fruits, and hardwood trees. When the spotted lanternfly feeds, it excretes a sticky, sugary fluid that causes sooty mold, which can further damage plants. Its preferred host is tree of heaven. Today 17 states have some degree of infestation…
PLATTER PERSPECTIVE
by Peter Cates | Actor Dana Andrews (1909-1992) had considerable screen presence in such classic 1940s films as The Ox-Bow Incident, Laura, State Fair, The Best Years of Our Lives and, a special favorite of mine more for Susan Hayward (1917-1975) than for Andrews, the 1949 My Foolish Heart…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | The latest GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor survey shows that nearly half of Americans feel they have lost time in their lives due to poor mental health. Courtney Nugent suffered a decade-long struggle with anxiety…