OFFICE CLOSED: The Town Line newspaper office will be closed the week of July 3. There will be an issue on Thursday, July 6. The Town Line office will re-open Monday, July 10. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Issue for June 29, 2023
An evening of fascinating history with China Historical Society
Today is important, but have you ever wondered about the path that led to today? What challenges did those in the area face, and how did they deal with those challenges? How did China get its name? What were those amazing things done in the past that have been filed away in a diary? As you learn about the past of a community you can begin to feel the oneness of the community that blends yesterday with today… by Roberta Barnes
Town News
Appraiser explains property tax scenarios
VASSALBORO – If I raise everyone’s property valuation by 20 percent, most Vassalboro taxpayers will see little if any tax increase, assessor Ellery Bane, of RJD Appraisal, told select board members and an interested audience at the June 22 select board meeting…
Select board again postpones decision on elected officials
CHINA – China select board members again postponed a decision on whether some town officials should be elected from geographic districts, after a discussion with two planning board members who attended the June 20 select board meeting…
OPINIONS: Internet access for many may be at risk
from by Kim Lindlof (Mid-Maine Chamber) – In response to our nation’s increased reliance on high-speed Internet, both the Trump and Biden Administrations have taken important steps to provide connectivity to those that need it, particularly in rural areas. An invaluable program that’s been created in recent years to enable this is the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which over 18 million American households are currently enrolled in….
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…
New public park being constructed in Vassalboro
CHINA – The Town of Vassalboro is excited to announce a new park, tentatively name Eagle Park, is being developed on Rt 32 in East Vassalboro, just north of the village area. The park will include beautiful frontage on the China Lake outlet stream where Eagles and other wildlife can be viewed regularly… by Laura Jones
Albion couple visits coastal Maine botanical gardens
ALBION – On a cool but sunny spring day in mid-May, my husband Ron and I took advantage of the “Admission to the Gardens Library Program”….
Local happenings
EVENTS: Summer scouting programs available
CENTRAL ME – Summer programs will be active and enriching for youth attending area scout camps and scout activities according to two leaders of these programs. Brittany St. Amand, of Pittston, and Shelley Connolly, of Pittsfield, have spent months organizing and getting things ready for outstanding summer programs…
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: Life jacket giveaway
CHINA — China Four Seasons Club invites you to participate in their annual Water Safety Program for children and young adults 16 and under. The Life Jacket Giveaway and Exchange event will take place on Saturday, July 1, 2023, on Causeway Road, in China, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., or while supplies last… 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
VASSALBORO – Patsy Mae (Tardiff) White, 69, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 15, 2023. She was born March 20, 1954, in Waterville, the daughter of Bernard and Rena (Sylvain) Tardiff… and remembering 12 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: The story of Independence Day (new)
KV HISTORY — According to Wikipedia, celebrating Independence Day on July 4 each year is most likely an error. The writer of the on-line site’s article on this national holiday says that the Second Continental Congress, meeting in a closed session, approved Virginia representative Richard Henry Lee’s resolution declaring the United States independent of Great Britain on July 2, 1776… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Society of Friends in Vassalboro
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
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 | This week, I will share with you a press release I rceived from Nancy Bostrom, of American Family Care. In the early days of summer 2023, local healthcare providers are sounding an alarm about a triple tick threat that includes a rare illness that just killed a man!…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | I was planning to write about the two fawns at the Duckpond Wildlife Rehab Center, but after reading through some old columns written by Don’s late wife, Carleen, I was again moved by the years of dedicated, tireless – and often under-appreciated – commitment the Cotes have given to literally thousands of wild critters since they began to rehab (initially it was part-time) in 1964…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | From August 1915, a ten-inch acoustically recorded shellac (Columbia A1882) presents Prince’s Band under the direction of Charles Adams Prince (1868-1937), Columbia’s highly-accomplished musical jack of all trades and a relative of former Presidents John and John Quincy Adams…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | This column is a little different from my usual. If I knew all the answers, I would call this my Public Service Announcement. Truth is I only have questions at this point. I am sure it will sound like a high school “Gripe Paper”…
MY POINT OF VIEW
by Gary Kennedy | The usage of Independence Day would be, and is known to all as the 4th of July. When we speak of it in this way it becomes clear as to its real meaning as each of us know and understand it. I state this as we recently have had an influx of immigrations which most likely are unfamiliar with this date in time and to its meaning…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) — The summer months are here, signaling that it’s time to soak up the warm weather, enjoy time outside, and make the most of the longer days. The hotter months can also bring additional risk for outdoor activities, so follow these safety tips to prepare for a fun and healthy summer…