Issue for June 1, 2023
China’s Isaac Audette becomes Eagle Scout
In 2022, 35,533 young men and women earned the Eagle Scout rank, joining more than 2.7 million Americans before them. Less than 6 percent of all youth who enter Scouting attain the rank of Eagle but China’s Isaac Audette, 14, did just that and received his Eagle Scout medal during a ceremony at China’s Central Lodge #45 Masonic Hall, on Saturday, May 20… by Chuck Mahaleris
Local author captures award
Local Maine Author, Michelle E. Shores, of Waterville, whose recently published book The Gathering Room – A Tale of Nelly Butler, has been awarded a 2023 IPPY AWARD for Best Fiction in the Northeast Region, Bronze Medal…
Town News
Planners OK permit application for Branch Mills dam
CHINA – At their May 23 meeting, China Planning Board members unanimously approved a permit application related to the planned rebuilding of the dam in Branch Mills, on the West Branch of the Sheepscot River…
Select board discusses money and looming problem with MDOT
VASSALBORO – Issues discussed at the May 25 Vassalboro select board meeting included money and a looming problem between the town and the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT)…
Town to open new walking trail
FAIRFIELD – The town of Fairfield is excited to announce the opening of the Cattail Trail, a new trail that runs adjacent to Lawrence High School. The trail will host its opening in conjunction with National Trail Day on Saturday, June 3…
Legislative Report as of Thursday, May 26, 2023
CENTRAL ME – Legislative bills submitted by area senators & representatives as of Friday, May 26…
PHOTO: Safe at home
FAIRFIELD – Fairfield 10U player, Isaac Dostie, #28, of Clinton, is safe as catcher Drake Henderson, of the Little Huskies/ Blackflies North 10U team, tries to get him out at home plate, at Little Fenway, in Oakland, on Mother’s day. Photo by Ramey Stevens, Central Maine Photography…
LETTERS: Atlantic haddock in serious trouble
from Scott Miller – The Atlantic Haddock fish population is in danger and could be heading toward extinction. The New England Fishery Management Council has lowered catch limits in an attempt to halt overfishing. But this is akin to fixing a broken arm with a Band-Aid. A federal panel approved a salmon fishing ban for much of the West Coast, due to an alarming decline of salmon. A similar halt must be put on East Coast haddock fishing…
Poulin declares write-in candidacy for select board
VASSALBORO – Michael C. Poulin has formally declared his candidacy as a write-in candidate for the Vassalboro Select Board. He has been a Vassalboro resident/taxpayer for 20+ years, U.S. Navy wartime veteran, member of Vassalboro Budget Committee, has been to 98 percent of selectboard meetings for years…
School News
Mid-Maine Chamber announces Ezhaya scholarship winner
PITTSFIELD — Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce announces the 2023 Joseph B. Ezhaya scholarship winner. Hannah Robinson, of Pittsfield, was selected as the scholarship recipient from a field of applicants…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Gibbs Library observes 30th anniversary
WASHINGTON – The Gibbs Library, in Washington, is celebrating its 30th anniversary from 11a.m. -4 p.m., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Highlighting the celebration will be book talks and book signing featuring Maine children’s author Chris Van Dusen and Maine novelist Paul Doiron…
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “I feel the need — the need for speed!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is June 7, 2023…
Listing of local town meetings
CENTRAL ME — Listing of 2023 local town meetings in central Maine. To have your town listed, please email us at townline@townline.org…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Turkey pie supper at So. China Church
So. CHINA — A turkey pie supper will be held at the South China Community Church on Sat., June 10, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Pie, squash, peas, coleslaw, rolls, cranberry sauce, dessert and drink. Adults $12, children under 12, $10… and many other local events!
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
SIDNEY – Kevin Richard Therriault, 58, lost his battle to cancer on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Kevin was born on February 9, 1965, in Rumford, to Richard “Dick” and Margaret “Ann” Therriault… and remembering 14 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: GAR and Togus (new)
MAINE HISTORY — The Grand Army of the Republic, or GAR, was responsible for more than organizing the local Posts and Memorial Day observances described in previous articles in this series. Additional information on this Civil War veterans’ organization, from various sources, says it assisted veterans in many ways, including advocating for legislation and policies, providing financial support to needy members and helping them stay in touch with each other… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Memorial Day – Part 3
MAINE HISTORY — Continuing with central Kennebec Valley GAR Posts in the order of their formation, the next after Billings Post #88, in Clinton, was Fairfield’s E. P. Pratt Post #90 (in Somerset County, therefore not on the Kennebec County list in Henry Kingsbury’s history). According to Barbara Gunvaldsen, of the Fairfield Historical Society, this Post was organized Oct. 18, 1883… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Holidays: Memorial Day
MAINE HISTORY — Waterville’s W. S Heath GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Post #14, described last week, was the second founded of the eight in the part of Kennebec County covered in this series, according to Henry Kingsbury’s county history. It was the third of 19 in the whole county, Kingsbury wrote… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: May holidays
MAINE HISTORY — The month of May hosts two well-observed national holidays in the 21st-century United States: the second Sunday is Mother’s Day, and the last Monday is Memorial Day. There will be no story about Mother’s Day; it’s too new. Nor will your writer trouble you with details about the many other May holidays listed on line… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 15, 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: Sarah Cunningham, Waterville
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Question of the week, it seems, is this: Are we having an epidemic of grubs? I’ve been asked that question many times in the past week. It seems folks in our area are seeing an increase in grub activity in the lawns. What are grubs and what makes them appear in your lawn?…
LAKE LIFE TODAY
by Elaine Philbrick | Phosphorus is a naturally occurring nutrient that creates lake algae. A rapid increase or accumulation of too much phosphorus can cause a lake to be out of balance, creating massive algae blooms that turn lake water green from the algae’s pigments, smells terrible, degrades wildlife habitat, and can potentially harm human and pet health…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | If you have pennies, I am giving you ‘uses’ (they are not just for the piggy bank anymore). I have no idea who wrote these, but I knew it was time to pass them on to you, too…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | South Berwick native Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909) advised younger writers to “Write about what you know!” Aroostook County native Helen Hamlin (1917-2004) once commented on the fascination of one’s childhood for so many…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI)—You work hard to help keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. To help, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) reminds everyone that stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. About 800,000 people in the country have a stroke each year…