Issue for March 25, 2021

Celebrating 33 years of local news

Thomas College student, Winslow resident modernizes snowmobile trip planning in Maine

Website removes barriers to identifying routes, finding amenities and enjoying points of interest

A new website launched by a Thomas College student is modernizing snowmobile trip planning for resident and out-of-state riders. SledTRX.com aims to advance the economic impact of a legacy outdoor recreation industry and attract new riders by removing barriers to identifying routes, finding amenities, and enjoying points of interest…

Your Local News

Selectmen authorize road commissioner to sign heavy load limit signs

WINDSOR — At their March 2 meeting, selectmen were informed that the town of Windsor has been notified that, by state law, heavy load limit road signs are to be signed by the municipal officers or their designee…

Youth baseball, softball, T-ball registrations being taken

CHINA — The China T-ball and coach pitch baseball, for children ages eight and under has returned. For more information contact chinarecsports@gmail.com…

Broadband committee not yet committed to Axiom; discussions amicable

CHINA — China Broadband Committee (CBC) members had an amicable March 18 zoom discussion with Mark Ouellette, president of Machias-based Axiom Technologies, their currently preferred choice for improved broadband service in China…

School leaders give cautious, optimistic report

VASSALBORO — At their March 16 meeting, Vassalboro School Board members heard cautious optimism from three administrators. All three expect a gradual return to something closer to normalcy before the end of the school year…

Advisor assures selectmen investments are in good shape

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen heard a report on town finances and continued town meeting plans at their March 18 meeting…

Budget committee focuses on transfer station, public works

VASSALBORO — Meeting on March 18 right after that evening’s selectmen’s meeting, Vassalboro Budget Committee members focused on the transfer station and the public works department…

Become a member: An open letter to our readers

Dear Reader: For the past 33 years, The Town Line has pledged a mission statement to “create a vibrant rural community connecting our towns, organizations and individuals through communication, education and public dialogue.” It’s all part of The Town Line’s mission to be a positive force in our community…

Listing of local town meetings

CENTRAL ME — Listing of local town meetings in central Maine. To have your town listed, please email us at townline@townline.org…

Central Church to host free egg hunt kits give-away

CHINA — These kits will have eggs, candy, and some goodies for you to host your own egg hunt for your family. Boxes can be picked up Saturday, March 27, between 10 a.m. and noon…

Check for unclaimed property

CENTRAL ME — Be sure to check for unclaimed property by visiting https://maineunclaimedproperty.gov on occasion, as new properties are added continuously. For unclaimed property in another state, you can search the national database of unclaimed property at www.missingmoney.com

Courtney Peabody earns MPA award

SOLON — Courtney Peabody, daughter of Robert and Carrie Peabody, of Solon, a senior at Carrabec High School, has been selected to receive the 2021 Principal’s Award, according to Principal Timothy Richards…

Palermo student earns climate scholarship

PALERMO — John Edwards, an eighth grader at Palermo Consolidated School, won a scholarship to attend the 2021 Talk Climate Institute on March 23 and 24. John learned about climate topics and developed strategies to discuss climate issues…

PHOTOS: Action on the ice!

CENTRAL ME — Photos of Central Maine Youth Hockey, from Sarah Fredette of Central Maine Photography…

FISHY PHOTO: Good day on the ice!

ROME — Hunter Hallee, 14, of Rome, had a successful day ice fishing a few weeks ago. Above, he shows off the smallmouth bass he caught while fishing with his maternal grandfather…

STUDENT WRITERS: The search for happiness

ERSKINE ACADEMY — Do you want to be happy? Most people will answer yes to this question, which is good. Unfortunately, we often try to simplify happiness, and lose sight of what being happy really means. Nathaniel Hawthorne described happiness as, “like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp; but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you…” by Aidan Larrabee

STUDENT WRITERS: Why fewer people Are Getting Married

ERSKINE ACADEMY — Growing up, many Americans believed they would get a job, buy a house, get married and start a family. However, it seems that for many Americans, life did not turn out that way. The amount of marriages that happen every year in the US is at an all time low at two million a year… by Grace Kelso (China)

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Livestock (New)

MAINE HISTORY — Besides crops, the other major facet of agriculture is livestock. For early Kennebec Valley settlers, cattle, a term that includes milk-producers, meat-producers and draft animals, were especially important… by Mary Grow [2052 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: 18th & 19th century agriculture

CHINA HISTORY — The third farm property in the area this series covers that is on the National Register of Historic Places is in China. The Edmund and Rachel Clark Homestead is on the west side of China Lake… by Mary Grow [1871 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Agriculture history – Part 1

ALBION/BENTON HISTORY — Your writer hopes readers are ready for a change from Romanesque Revival and Hallowell granite, because the coming weeks of Kennebec Valley history will not focus on buildings, though they will continue to appear. The Register of Historic Places for the central Kennebec Valley includes a farm and two farmsteads… by Mary Grow [1810 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings, Augusta Part 9

AUGUSTA HISTORY — The Augusta historic district not yet discussed is the Capitol Complex Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. This district includes several individually listed buildings: the State House, the Blaine House (official residence of Maine’s governors) and the Gannett House, home of the First Amendment Museum… by Mary Grow [2002 words]

Give Us Your Best Shot!

The best recent photos from our readers!

Webber’s Pond

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident…

Obituaries

WINSLOW – Frances (Rafferty) Roy, 84, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020, at her home. Fran was born in Bangor in 1926, the only daughter of Francis Xavier Rafferty and Emma (Nina) L. Rafferty… and remembering 4 others.

2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates

Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE and WINDSOR…

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Friday, April 9, 2021

Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy Boutique in Waterville! 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: Thomas Doherty, South China.

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | We all know, of course, that spring has arrived, at least according to the calendar. But there are many signs all around us. I have noticed some bushes, and even trees, have begun to bud…

VETERANS CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | Well, here it is my fellow veterans. We are starting into the first of spring. Emotionally, many of us are sighing with relief. Winter is always a hardship for most of us both veteran and non-veteran…

CRITTER CHATTER

by Jayne Winters | A recent chat with Donald Cote, at Duck Pond Rehab, was about opossums, as I couldn’t help but notice a large adult snoozing in a pet carrier in what used to be Carlene’s “doll room.” I’ve never seen one in the wild, although sightings in Maine have become common…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Fifteen years ago, I binged for a couple of months on the Irish writer James Joyce (1882-1941) and read his first novel Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and the short story collection Dubliners

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | Hi! If this column seems to be a little disconnected, it probably is. I have been involved with my latest project that has involved renovating the 26-foot fifth wheel I live in…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) | The second half of your life can bring some of your most rewarding decades. You may be more confident than your younger self. You gain wisdom and patience. Sure, your hair sprouts more grays and your face sports more lines…