DEADLINE NOTICE: The Town Line newspaper office will be closed the week of July 3. There will be an issue on July 6. All copy for the July 6 issue should be in the office no later than Wed., June 28.
Issue for June 22, 2023
Inland Hospital and Purdue Global collaborate
A unique healthcare education collaboration kicked off in Waterville on June 6, 2023, as Northern Light Inland Hospital and Purdue Global officially opened the new Simulation Center for Healthcare Education and Excellence. Inland Hospital staff and board members, Purdue Global staff and students, community educators, local EMS and fire department staff, community leaders, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce members joined together for the grand opening of the new simulation center, located on the Inland campus. Tours and demonstrations showed off the center’s capabilities…
Town News
Fairfield election results
FAIRFIELD – The following are official election returns as reported by Fairfield Town Clerk Christine Keller. Voters cast 111 ballots…
Planners set two public hearings on self-storage units
CHINA – China Planning Board members have scheduled June 27 public hearings on two applications for self-storage buildings on Route 3. The applications, from Chris Harris and Lucas Adams, were on their June 15 agenda…
Select board approves major road construction contract
WINDSOR – At its May 9 meeting, the Windsor Select Board approved several major decisions in its recent meeting, including the awarding of road construction and mowing contracts, and acknowledging a resignation of an Animal Control Officer…
Board addresses projects, school concerns and community safety amid crime rise
WINDSOR – During the May 23 Select Board meeting, Keith Hall of Public Works reported that winter sand supply is on track, while the schedule for paving work remains uncertain. Local officials are also working on cost-saving measures in collaboration with Marvin Clark…
Sheepscot Lake Association newsletter
PALERMO – Hello members and friends of the Sheepscot Lake Association. We look forward to another fun-filled season on the lake and wanted to update you on what we have planned for 2023. First, we want to share the sad news that SLA co-founder and former President Gary Miller passed away May 20, 2023… submitted by Maria O’Rourke
LETTERS: Is history repeating itself?
from Frank Slason (Somerville) – I would like to express some of my personal opinions on immigration. Let’s go back to circa 1600 when Europeans claimed refugee status, i.e., due to religious persecution. Bear in mind refugees come in all sizes from good, bad and even criminals….
Cited for Bible study leadership
CHINA – The Women’s Bible study group from China Baptist Church held its last meeting before their summer recess on Thursday, June 15. Robin Sabbatus and Faye Stevens served a luncheon and the ladies took the opportunity to honor Alene Smiley for her 24 years of leading the ladies in their studies…
Litter Free China program to continue
CHINA – In past summers, you may have noticed volunteers picking up litter along Lakeview Drive, in China and South China villages, a portion of Rte. 3, Rte. 32, and part of the Neck Road. Let’s resume our efforts on Saturday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a backup rain day on July 15…
Kristen Manson promoted at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
WATERVILLE – Kristen Manson has been promoted to Branch Relationship Manager for the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust location in Waterville. In this role, she leads a team of banking professionals to provide solutions and guidance to help individuals, families, and businesses in Waterville and surrounding towns meet their financial goals…
PHOTO: District 5 Cal Ripken 10U champs
FAIRFIELD – 2023 10U Messalonskee Eagles All Star team photo by Central Maine Photography…
New Dimensions FCU receives award
WATERVILLE – New Dimensions Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) has received CUNA’s 2023 Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award! Ryan Poulin, CEO, accepted the award at the Maine Credit Union League’s Annual Convention awards dinner on behalf of the entire team and financial education department for their outstanding work around…
FICTION: The House, part 11 (continued)
“I thought you wanted to get to the carriage house after our house,” commented Jake. “I do, but sometimes a guy just has to do something different once in a while. Amy has been thinking that your garden, once cleaned up, would make a great place for wedding pictures, high school senior pictures…you get the picture,” said Dave laughing at his own pun…. by Peg Pellerin
SCHOOL NEWS
Winslow scholarship recipients
WINSLOW – Linda Garrity Rodrigue and Lyn Blaschke Rowden represented the Winslow High School Class of 1973 in awarding three scholarships on the occasion of their 50th anniversary of graduation during class night on June 5, at Winslow High School…
Erskine Academy final Renaissance awards for the year
CHINA – On Friday, June 9, 2023, Erskine Academy, in South China, students and staff attended the final Renaissance Assembly of the year to honor their peers with Renaissance Awards…
Local student named to spring 2023 dean’s list at UAF
WHITEFIELD – Jeffrey Beyea, of Whitefield, has been named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in Fairbanks, Alaska….
Annemarie Allen receives degree from Quinnipiac University
WINDSOR – Annemarie Allen, of Windsor, received a Bachelor of Science degree n Health Science/ Occupational Therapy from Quinnipiac University, in Hamden, Connecticut, during a commencement ceremony held in May….
Local residents earn degrees at Clark University
PALERMO/WINSLOW – Caleb J. Sacks, of Palermo, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in computer science. Anna Marceau Pellerin, of Winslow, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology….
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…
Catherine Gibbs named to UA presidents list
WINSLOW – Catherine Gibbs, of Winslow, was named to The University of Alabama Presidents List for fall semester 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama…
Local happenings
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: “May the Force be with you.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is July 6, 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: Palermo Legion annual yard sale
PALERMO — The Palermo American Legion will be holding its annual yard sale on Saturday, June 24, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Any donations are welcomed. Call Mary, 485-6605 or Paul, 993-5049… 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
SOUTH CHINA – Pamela Jeanne Smith Feyler, 75, daughter of the late William T. Smith and Jeanne Turner Smith (Creighton) passed away at home, in South China, on June Tuesday, 13, 2023. Pamela was born on March 19, 1948, in Rockland… and remembering 7 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Society of Friends in Vassalboro (new)
QUAKER HISTORY — On Sunday afternoon, June 18, Joann Clark Austin, of South China, a semi-retired lawyer and self-described “fifth-generation China Quaker,” spoke on the local history of Quakerism at the Vassalboro Historical Society… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Taking care of paupers
KV HISTORY — The earliest settlers in the Kennebec Valley, as elsewhere in New England, were for the most part able-bodied and self-supporting. But within a generation or two, a settlement would be likely to have residents who were unable to support themselves… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Windsor’s Colburn family
WINDSOR HISTORY — Exceptionally attentive readers with exceptionally good memories might remember that Francisco Colburn was one of the commanders of Windsor’s Marcellus Vining GAR Post in the 1880s. Marcellus is not a typical Maine name, to be sure – presumably his classically-educated parents named him after the Roman Marcus Claudius Marcellus (42 – 23 B.C.). But for some reason, your writer was struck by Francisco, and began wondering why a couple in Windsor, Maine, in the 1830s would choose that name for their son… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: GAR and Togus
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
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, July 13, 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: Carrie McGrath, So. China
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Have you ever gone to bed on a warm summer night, and seen this thing flying around that resembles a large mosquito? It happens to me all the time at camp. Sitting up in bed, grabbing the book I’m reading, or possibly a magazine for some light and quick reading. And, there it is, buzzing around the light, and becoming extremely annoying. It looks like a giant mosquito…
LAKE LIFE TODAY
by Elaine Philbrook | Our last articles included information about phosphorus, its sources and how it impacts our lakes whether it is from shoreline properties or sources found in our watersheds. The next several articles will be sharing actions you can take to “slow the flow” of water on your property to keep nonpoint source pollution (NPS) from entering our lakes…
LIFE ON THE PLAINS
by Roland D. Hallee | Well, following a brief hiatus, I am ready to continue with Life on the Plains, and how it was in the 1950s and’60s. Let’s take a look at Saturdays. Recently, in speaking with some “old timers” – I’m not one of them, of course. Ha!…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | The 31st president Herbert Clark Hoover (1874-1964) heavily criticized FDR’s New Deal policies and increasing big government spending; he stated the dollar decimal point was “wandering around among the regimented ciphers trying to find some of the old places it used to know”…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
If you or someone you care about is a weekend warrior, maturing man or exercise enthusiast, you might want to bone up on these facts about health and safety…