Issue for July 27, 2023
No support in Albion for LS Power electric transmission developer
On July 19, representatives from LS Power, an electric transmission developer from Missouri, hosted an open house in Albion to begin community outreach among landowners impacted by the proposed transmission line. The event was the fifth of six such meetings along the proposed route, starting in Mattawamkeag, and concluding in Windsor… by Jonathan Strieff
An amazing story of survival
As I slowed down to turn into the driveway at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center, I couldn’t help but notice the SUV ahead of me did likewise. I could never have imagined the story the driver soon shared with me and Don about the three-week-old fawn she had in the dog kennel in the back of her vehicle… by Jayne Winters
Town News
Select board deals with routine agenda; elects chairman
WINDSOR – At their July 3 meeting, the town of Windsor select board unanimously approved all items on the agenda. Board members approved the appointment of Andrew Ballantyne as the Windsor Educational Foundation and Reed Fund member…
Select board signs in reappointed town officials
CHINA – China select board members had a short July 17 meeting, followed by a long signing session as they reappointed town officials and board and committee members for the fiscal year that began July 1…
Planners OK move for DC Customz
CHINA – China planning board members approved the only application on their July 11 agenda, allowing Denver Cullivan to move his metal fabricating business, DC Customz, to an existing commercial building at 70 Waterville Road…
Recreation dept. to see changes; Bog Road bridge replacement discussed
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members’ July 13 topics covered the entire town, especially the northern half: continued discussion of the recreation program and the Vassalboro Sanitary District; a state Department of Transportation (MDOT) presentation on plans for a new bridge on Bog Road in 2025; a resident’s proposal for traffic control in East Vassalboro; and the board’s own meeting schedule through the end of November…
KWD only beneficiary of solar power development
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro planning board members had on their July 11 agenda four shoreland permit applications and a discussion of keeping phosphorus out of water bodies. They had in the audience two representatives of ReVison Energy to talk about a solar project that was not on the agenda…
Erskine wrestling phenom looking to the future
CHINA – Wynn Pooler finished his sophomore year at Erskine Academy, in South China, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, ranked second in his class. During the 2023 Maine wrestling season, he repeated as KVAC, Southern Maine Regional, and State Champion – at 113 pounds (up from 106 pounds as a freshman), becoming the first two-time state champion in Erskine Academy Wrestling history…
PHOTOS: Local youths Kidz Bop in Bangor
CENTRAL ME – Ava Frost, 8, and her best friend Sophia Barnaby, 8, both of Waterville, having a fun time at the KIDZ BOP Never Stop Tour, at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, in Bangor, on Saturday, July 22 (photos by Central Maine Photography)…
PHOTO: Central Mainers attend football camp
FAIRFIELD – The Lawrence Bulldogs Junior football camp was held July 17-19 (grades 2-4) with players from Central Maine (photo by Central Maine Photography)…
Alison Applegate joins Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
CENTRAL ME – Alison Applegate has joined Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as Assistant Vice President, Community Banking Relationship Manager. In this role, she helps entrepreneurs from Waterville to Rockland find the right financing and deposit solutions for their small businesses…
EVENTS: Benefit spaghetti supper in Palermo
PALERMO – A fundraising event is being held by community organizations, on Saturday, August 5, at 5 p.m., for the family of Michael and Sheila McCarty to help with the final expenses incurred by the sudden passing of their daughter, Alia. It will be held at the American Legion, 33 Veterans Way, in Palermo. The cost will be $10 per plate, $5 for children under 10…
New Dimensions FCU shares results from car show
WATERVILLE – New Dimensions Federal Credit Union recently hosted its 9th Annual Cruisin’ for a Cure Car Show at the Waterville Lafleur Airport. Although the weather wasn’t in their favor, they still had over 70 dedicated car owners who didn’t let the rain stop them…
Free community college extended two more years
CENTRAL ME – Tuition-free community college in Maine was extended to two more graduating high school classes under the budget passed by the legislature and signed on July 11 by Governor Janet Mills…
LETTERS: Thanks to Karen
from Bernie and Jody Welch (Vassalboro grange master) – Dear Karen (Hatch), The music, activities and dancing at the grange are something special. Cribbage at the town office gets folks together. Our library provides a myriad of opportunities for all ages. Activities at the Mill or school or in the parks are beginning to happen…
SCHOOL NEWS
Matt Bray graduates from York County Community College
WATERVILLE – Matt Bray, of Waterville, graduated with an Associate in Arts in Liberal Studies from York County Community College, in Wells…
Matthew Parent named to Clarkson University’s dean’s list
OAKLAND – Matthew G. Parent, of Oakland, a sophomore majoring in software engineering, was named to the dean’s list for the Spring 2023 semester, at Clarkson University, in Potsdam, New York…
Conor Mccarthy earns degree from University of Maryland Global Campus
VASSALBORO – Conor Andrew Mccarthy, of Vassalboro, earned an associate of arts from University of Maryland Global Campus, in Adelphia, Maryland, in spring 2023. Mccarthy was one of nearly 3,400 students who earned degrees from UMGC in the spring semester…
Local student graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
BENTON – On May 20, 2023, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in Troy, New York, awarded a bachelor of science degree in business and management to Drake Zimba, of Benton…
Catherine Gibbs awarded degree from University of Alabama
WINSLOW – Catherine Gibbs, of Winslow, received a bachelor of arts degree in communications and information sciences from the University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama…
Local happenings
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Benefit spaghetti supper to be held in Palermo
PALERMO — There will be a spaghetti benefit supper held on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at 5 p.m., at the American Legion, 33 Veterans Way, in Palermo. The supper will help the Michael and Sheila McCarty family with final expenses incurred by the sudden passing of their daughter, Alia… and many other local events.
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
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: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is August 10, 2023…
2022-’23 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real estate tax due dates for the towns of Albion, China, Fairfield, Oakland, Palermo, Sidney, Vassalboro, Waterville, Windsor and Winslow…
Obituaries
BENTON – Erma W. Elwell, of Benton, 98, and formerly of Unity, passed away at Glenridge Nursing Home, in Augusta, on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Born in Troy on January 13, 1925, she was the daughter of Gustave and Olive (Roberts) Ward… and remembering 11 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Music in the central Kennebec Valley (new)
KV HISTORY — After the frustration of finding only scanty and random information from local historians on how central Kennebec Valley residents cared for their destitute neighbors, your writer decided to continue frustrating herself on a more cheerful topic: music… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: How towns cared for their poor (conclusion)
KV HISTORY — This fourth and final article on the ways central Kennebec Valley towns carried out their responsibility to care for their poorest residents will provide bits of information about half a dozen towns not already discussed… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: How towns cared for the poor – Part 3
KV HISTORY — This article is the third of four that will talk about how central Kennebec Valley towns took care of their destitute residents, when welfare was a local responsibility. Last week’s piece summarized actions in China from the 1820s into the 1870s, when the poor farm on the east shore of China Lake housed many of the town’s paupers (some were still bid out or assisted as they lived with family members)… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Caring for the poor – Part 2
KV HISTORY — This article will continue the theme started June 14, how central Kennebec Valley towns took care of their poor residents, jumping across the Kennebec River from Augusta and Sidney to Vassalboro, Windsor, Palermo and China. The focus will remain – mostly – on the 19th century… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, August 17, 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: James Vigue, Winslow
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | While sitting around a campfire a couple of evenings ago, someone asked the question: Where have all the bugs gone? We began to discuss how few black flies, mosquitoes, June bugs, etc., we have seen so far this spring and summer…
LAKE LIFE TODAY
by Elaine Philbrook | Do you have a pathway from your home to the lake’s shore? Chances are you do. Water flowing over improperly designed paths and walkways is one of the ways pollutants find their way into our lakes and waterbodies. Properly designed pathways for foot traffic minimize compaction to soils in surrounding areas, help to absorb water, reduce the rate of stormwater runoff flow, protect soil from erosion, and prevent pollutants such as sediments from entering the lake…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | Boost your fall garden harvest with some midsummer plantings. Fill vacant spaces left in the vegetable garden after harvesting lettuce, spinach, and other early maturing crops. Expand your edible plantings to other vacant spots in flowerbeds, mixed borders, and containers…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | If you’re watching television you will see that the entire world is uneasy. That being said, you can imagine how our veterans must feel. You know, if you aren’t a veteran then perhaps you don’t really know how our veterans are feeling. The old expression, “the natives are restless”, is very true for them. For many vets right now, the smell of gun powder permeates the air…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Polish-born Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) composed his incredibly beautiful two Piano Concertos when he was 20. The first one was my favorite of the two for decades while the second didn’t particularly thrill me until more recent years…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | I have been in Florida for about 39 years. How did that happen, I thought I was still only 34 years old. I am not sure what is going on, why some things are almost impossible to do. My family loves to tell me it is because I am getting older, they must be mistaken…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) — Many people think of pneumonia as a disease to worry about only in the fall and winter, but the truth is, pneumonia can reach you any time during the year…