Issue for March 7, 2024
Scouts mark 114th year with Sunday services
February marks the 114th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America and it is also when most Cub Scout Packs and Scout Troops hold Scout Sunday services in their communities. The Twelfth Point in the Scout Law is that “A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.” To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed the religious emblems programs and also welcomed Scouts in to their houses of worship for the annual Scout Sunday service… by Chuck Mahaleris
Battle of Maine set for March 23
The 42nd Annual Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships will be taking place, on Saturday, March 23, at Champions, in Waterville. The event will feature competitors from all over the state of Maine and other parts of the United States that will be competing in forms, weapons, fighting and other events. Special thank you to major event sponsors Central Maine Motors and Hammond Lumber Co. Spectator Tickets are $10 each and $1 of each ticket will go to help support The Maine Children’s Cancer Program…
Town News
LS Power informs town of project suspension
WINDSOR – At the Februry 13 meeting of the Windsor Select Board, Town Manager Theresa Haskell reported she received a letter from Jason Niven, director, project development, on behalf of LS Power Grid Maine. The purpose of the letter was to notify town leaders that LS Power Grid Maine’s development of this project, (Aroostook Renewable Gateway Project), is not moving forward at this time. LS Power Grid Maine LLC requested the town leaders help notify residents of this update…
Select board continues 2024-25 budget discussions
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members continued discussion of the draft 2024-25 town budget at a special Feb. 29 meeting, focusing on two topics…
Planners refer solar ordinance back to town attorney
CHINA – China planning board members prepared for future action on two issues on their Feb. 27 agenda. After considering questions about the draft Solar Energy Systems Ordinance raised at the Feb. 26 select board meeting, they referred the document back to town attorney Amanda Meader, asking her to recommend different language for one section…
Select board reviews, amends 2024-25 budget
CHINA – China select board members spent another two hours March 4 reviewing and amending their draft 2024-25 town budget, in preparation for a budget committee meeting to be held March 5…
China & Vassalboro presidential primary results
CHINA/VASSALBORO – Primary election results for the towns of China and Vassalboro…
ICE OUT 2024? Take a guess. Win a prize!
Write down your best guess (one per person) and send it to The Town Line, PO Box 89, South China, ME 04358, or email us at townline@townline.org with the subject “ICE OUT 2024“. If more than one person guesses the correct date, a drawing will be held to determine the winner. Get your guess to The Town Line office by noon, Friday, March 15, 2024…
Local author writes about serving in the military during the Cold War
CENTRAL ME – Patrick Roy was born in Waterville in 1947 and lived in the Elm City until 1965 when he joined the military. His book, Memoirs in my Everyday Life, tells readers what the day-to-day life of a soldier was back in 1965. Relatively recently, with some extra time on his hands, Roy has decided to share these stories with a broader audience. Why now? Well, he’s been wanting to do this for a long time. “I can remember things from when I was five years old.” It took Roy three years to complete and publish the book… by Gillian Lalime
Poor People’s Campaign draws over 200 at Augusta rally
CENTRAL ME – Well over 200 demonstrators gathered in Capitol Park, in Augusta, on Saturday, March 2, as part of a nationwide direct action organized by the Poor People’s Campaign. With simultaneous events taking place in 32 state capitols and Washington DC, the event kicked off a 40-week effort to mobilize poor and low-wage workers ahead of the November elections. Participants led call and response songs and displayed homemade signs before marching from the park to rally in front of the Blaine House and the capitol building… by Jonathan Strieff
Nikia Levesque appointed vice president of jewelry association
CENTRAL ME – The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) announces the appointment of Nikia Levesque as the vice president of the WJA Foundation. With nearly a decade of experience in the jewelry industry, Nikia brings a profound dedication to advancing women’s careers and a proven track record of leadership and innovation…
New Dimensions FCU staff, members raise $25,208 to end hunger
CENTRAL ME – Through dedicated teamwork and community support, New Dimensions Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) raised $25,208.19 for the 2023 Maine Credit Union League’s Campaign for Ending Hunger. Their fundraising efforts will directly support local food banks and pantries serving families struggling with hunger…
Crommett promoted at Maine State CU
CENTRAL ME – Stephen Wallace, President and CEO of Maine State Credit Union, has announced the promotion of Amanda Crommett to Senior Vice President, Chief Organizational Developmental Officer. In this newly-created role, Crommett will oversee the training and development team and help to guide the continued growth of credit union…
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: “Toga! Toga!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is March 7, 2024…
Devyn DeLeonardis receives Principal’s Award
NORTH ANSON – Devyn DeLeonardis, son of Frederick and Amanda, of North Anson, a senior at Carrabec High School, in North Anson, has been selected to receive the 2024 Principal’s Award, according to Principal Peter Campbell…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Lincoln County Historical Association lecture sheds light on Black sailors of the 18th and 19th centuries
LINCOLN COUNTY – In an online lecture on Thursday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m., speaker Korinne Tanzer will discuss a few of the incredible Black sailors – free and enslaved – who worked the waters of the Kennebec River or spent time at sea, helping shape Lincoln County’s past. Spanning the 18th and 19th centuries…
EVENTS: AYCC to host polar plunge
WATERVILLE – The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC), serving the Boys & Girls Club and YMCA of Greater Waterville, has announced it will be hosting its 31st annual Polar Plunge, on Saturday, March 16, at the Oakland Boat Launch. They hope to have 100 participants to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club…
EVENTS: Waterville Seed Library to launch March 16
WATERVILLE – The Waterville Public Library has announced the 2024 launch of the Waterville Seed Library. This entirely free public resource features 30 varieties, including tomato, pumpkin, summer lettuce mix, green beans, and more. Beginning on Saturday, March 16, 2024, while supplies last, garden seed packets can be picked up at the Waterville Public Library, at 73 Elm Street, Waterville. A free Paint a Plant Pot and Plant Basil craft program for youth will be offered on Saturday, March 16, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m…
EVENTS: Apple tree pruning workshop
VASSALBORO – Late winter is the time for pruning apple trees, and Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District [Kennebec SWCD] announces an outdoors, skill-building workshop at a volunteer property in Vassalboro. An apple tree pruning workshop will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 a.m. – noon, at 167 Tabot Hill Road, in Vassalboro…
EVENTS: Maple Sunday weekend slated for March 23-24
CENTRAL ME – The Maine Maple Producers Association (MMPA) is pleased to announce the 41st Maine Maple Sunday Weekend on March 23-24, 2024. A favorite annual event, visitors are welcomed at local sugarhouses to celebrate Maine’s maple syrup in as many ways as possible…
EVENTS: AARP Tax-Aide program available in central Maine
CENTRAL ME – The AARP Tax-Aide program provides free federal and state income tax preparation and electronic filing to low-and moderate-income individuals. Returns are prepared by IRS-certified volunteers. The program is funded by the AARP Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable organization, and the IRS…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Legos Club needs volunteers at ACB
CHINA VILLAGE — LEGOs Clubs for Kids is a new program starting this spring at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, and they need roughly four additional volunteers to help lead the Saturday sessions. LEGO donations are also welcome! Please contact the library at chinalibraryacb@gmail.com if you are interested and available for volunteering… and many other local events!
Obituaries
WINSLOW – Daniel Edward Cassidy Jr, 83, passed away on February 29, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. Dan was born in Portland, Maine on June 28, 1940, to Daniel E. and Odell (Thibodeau) Cassidy. In 1946 the family moved to Winslow to open Cassidy’s Market on Augusta Road…. and remembering 11 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Malta War, 1809 (new)
WINDSOR HISTORY — There are still some left-over ponds and related information to continue the previous subseries, but your writer is ready to take – and to give her readers – a break from maps, water bodies and genealogies. Instead, she will present the story of an often-mentioned, but in detail long avoided, historical event, the Malta War. (From 1809 to 1820, the present Town of Windsor was named Malta.)… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Windsor brooks named after people
WINDSOR HISTORY — Barton Brook, in northwestern Windsor, was almost certainly named after Dr. Stephen Barton, Sr. (June 10, 1740- Oct. 21, 1804), or his family. The brook connects the north end of Mud Pond with the south end of Threemile Pond (which is mostly in China and Vassalboro). In his history of Windsor, Linwood Lowden wrote that in 1799, the stream was named Wonnamdogus, a Native name that is now Warromantogus… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Windsor brooks named for early settlers
WINDSOR HISTORY — Last week’s article was about ponds in Windsor that were named after people who settled or lived near them. According to Henry Kingsbury’s 1892 Kennebec County history and Linwood Lowden’s 1993 Windsor history, several streams or brooks were also named in recognition of early residents… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: People for whom ponds are named – Part 4
WINDSOR HISTORY — Windsor is the southeasternmost of the dozen municipalities this series has included in the central Kennebec Valley. Henry Kingsbury called its shape unique in Kennebec County, with “four equal sides and four right angles”… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, March 14, 2024
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: Aiden Cook, Augusta
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Last week I was watching a cardinal at my wife’s bird feeder and wondered how those little critters keep warm. So, let’s talk about how those little feathered friends keep warm during those times…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | Anytime is a great time to add a few houseplants to your home. Adding greenery indoors expands your gardening opportunities and provides the many benefits of living with and tending plants. It can boost your mood and reduce stress while adding beauty or nutritious food to your home…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | A 1954 book War of Wits, by journalist Ladislas Farago (1906-1980), is an account of intelligence networks during World War II. What gave Farago’s book interest was his own work in South America and his access to many spies and agents who were eager to tell their stories…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(HEALTH) | High blood pressure (HBP), or hypertension, increases the risk of developing cardiac (heart) disease. It can lead to stroke, heart attack, or heart failure. High blood pressure means high pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to all the tissues and organs of the body. About one in three adults in the U.S., or 73 million people are though to have high blood pressure, but nearly one-third of the people don’t know they have it…