Issue for May 2, 2024
KVYSO is a place of growing for these five seniors
For these five high school seniors, the Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras have been a place to grow, to build friendships, and to nurture their passion for music. This Spring, they are preparing for their final concert before heading off to college, on Mothers Day, May 12, 5 p.m., at the South Parish Church, in Augusta… by Eric W. Austin
Town News
TIF COMMITTEE: One of two applications meets funding requirement
CHINA – China Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee members found only one of two applications submitted to their April 29 meeting met the requirements for TIF funding. Both requests, from the South China public library and The Town Line newspaper, were submitted under Project C.3 in China’s TIF plan, titled “Marketing the Town as a Business Location”…
Early submission deadline for May 9 issue
Due to an unforeseen circumstance out of our control, all text and ad copy for the May 9, 2024, issue, must be in The Town Line office no later than 9 a.m., Monday, May 7. We apologize for any inconvenience.
PHOTO: Mother Nature masterpiece
CLINTON – Joan Chaffee, of Clinton, photographed this spectacular eclipse of the sun on April 8, 2024…
Area Scouts make a difference with clean-up activities
CENTRAL ME – Earth Day has a special place in Scouting’s culture. Cubs and Scouts know that responsible stewardship of the planet is key to being a good Scout. Since Boy Scouts of America’s early beginnings, Scouts have been caring for the planet. The organization’s “Leave No Trace” principles demonstrate how Scouts show respect for the great outdoors… by Chuck Mahaleris
Kennebec Water District Pleasant St. construction update
CENTRAL ME – Kennebec Water District is pleased with the early season progress on the Pleasant Street Area Water Main Improvements Project, in Waterville. Phase one work on Pleasant Street between Main Street and North Street is scheduled to be completed and reopened to traffic on or before Friday, May 3…
Katrina Smith announces re-election bid campaign
CENTRAL ME – Maine State Representative Katrina Smith, District #62, has announced the launch of her re-election campaign to the Maine State House. Elected in 2022, Rep. Smith has served the last session on the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee overseeing Economic development, licensing and growth initiatives for the state of Maine…
Madison Legion Auxiliary collects essential items for children in DHHS system
MADISON – The month of April is recognized as Children and Youth Month. Members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, collected many essential items such as backpacks, Pj’s, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, shoes, socks, toiletry items, and hygiene products for the older children, etc….
To address critical shortage Northern Light welcomes psychiatry residents
CENTRAL ME – In 2023, Northern Light Acadia Hospital launched a Psychiatry Residency Program to help fill a void left by the dwindling number of psychiatrists currently practicing in Maine. From 2020 to 2022, the number of licensed psychiatrists practicing in Maine dropped by more than half, from 110 to 50, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics…
Vassalboro Community School honor roll
VASSALBORO – List of Vassalboro Community School honor roll students.
New Dimensions FCU announces 2024 scholarship winners
CENTRAL ME – New Dimensions Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) is proud to announce the recipients of its highly esteemed 2024 Scholarship Program…
Area St. Lawrence University students named to dean’s list
CENTRAL ME – St. Lawrence University, in Canton, New York, congratulates more than 730 students named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2023 semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have completed at least four courses and have an academic average of 3.6 based on a 4.0 scale for the semester: Area students are Tanley Tibbetts, of Chelsea, and Sam Voter, of Cornville.
Maine Community College students named to All-Maine Academic team
AUGUSTA – Nineteen Maine community college students have been named to the All-Maine Academic Team in recognition of their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service. Area students receiving the award and a $500 scholarship from the MCCS Board of Trustees, are: Chelsey Chapman, Pittston, Central Maine Community College, in Auburn, Kiera Clark, Skowhegan, Kennebec Valley Community College, in Fairfield/Hinckley. Luz Maria Seda Libby, Palermo, Kennebec Valley Community College.
Evelyn Withee inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
ROME – Evelyn Withee, of Rome, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Withee was initiated at the University of Maine.
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Local happenings
EVENTS: Waterville Farmers Market open for the season
WATERVILLE – The Waterville Farmers Market will open Thursday, May 2, 2 – 6 p.m., at Head of Falls, in Waterville. It is open every Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m., rain or shine, until November 21. This year they have 23 vendors offering seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat, fresh baked items, local crafts, maple syrup, honey, and plants/seedlings…
EVENTS: MCCS, JMG launch new summer academy program
CENTRAL ME – Young Mainers looking for help navigating their next step have a new opportunity to take free four- to six-week classes at Maine’s community colleges this summer under a new “Summer Academy” program offered by the colleges and nonprofit education partner JMG…
EVENTS: Open Mic at Vassalboro coffee house
CENTRAL ME – Vassalboro Open Mic and Coffeehouse at the East Vassalboro Grange Hall Saturday, May 11, 7 – 9 p.m. Everyone is welcome to perform or to enjoy. Might you be a musician who might enjoy a place to share your talent? This could be the perfect place to try out the neighborhood stage. Bring your friends and family. $3 – $5 suggested donation. Coffee, tea, and goodies for sale. FMI: grange322@gmail.com…
EVENTS: Invite to a tea
AUGUSTA – You are invited to join The Recycled Shakespeare Co. for The Four Seasons: A Literary Tea, Sunday, June 2, 2024, 2 p.m., at the South Parish Congregational Church, 9 Church St., Augusta, for an afternoon of tea and refreshments representing the four seasons, and enjoy readings, both published and original. Seasonal dress is encouraged. A $30 donation will reserve your place…
EVENTS: Waterville Memorial Day ceremony planned
WATERVILLE – American Legion Post #5 invites community members and families to the St Francis de Sales Cemetery wreath laying ceremony to honor deceased members of Canadian Legion Post #67, Forest J. Pare VFW Post 1285, Waterville Fire Department, Knights of Columbus #13486, Waterville Elks Lodge #905, McCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post 8835, and Law Enforcement Officers. The ceremony will be held at St Francis Cemetery on Grove St on May 27, 2024 and begin at 9:00 a.m…
EVENTS: Benton alewife festival set for May 18
BENTON – The 2024 edition of the Benton Alewife Festival will take place on Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at t he park near the Benton Town Office, on Rte. 100. The event will take place rain or shine…
EVENTS: Safe, practical storage and display spaces for historic objects
FAIRFIELD – Explore the best ways to care for your personal or museum collections. Come join this free workshop Monday, May 6, 2024, Safe Practical Storage and Display Spaces for Historic Objects Workshop, at the L. C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley…
EVENTS: Bird migration in central Maine lecture
UNITY – A bird migration in central Maine lecture will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m., Unity Community Center, 32 School St., Unity…
EVENTS: Maine International Film Festival: passes and packages now on sale
WATERVILLE – The Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) returns to Waterville, Maine, for its 27th edition July 12–21, 2024. Festival passes and packages are now available for preorder online at MIFF.org…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Community band to perform Mothers Day
TOPSHAM – The Hallowell Community Band will hold a performance at Topsham Baptist Church, on Mothers Day, May 12, at 2 p.m. Selections from Les Miserables, Sound of Music, Beauty & The Beast, and others… and many other local events!
Local town meetings schedule for 2024
Schedule for town meetings in 2024 for Albion, China, Palermo & Vassalboro..
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Margaret “Peggy” Louise (Jones) Cain, 86, died peacefully at home on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Peggy was born in Augusta to parents Alfred L. and Madeline M. Jones on July 19, 1937… and remembering 9 others.
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Rufus Matthew Jones — Part 2 (new)
CHINA HISTORY — Part of Rufus Matthew Jones’ story of his early life, in his 1921 book titled A Small-Town Boy, was summarized last week. This week’s article continues his story, starting with his primary schooling in one-room schoolhouses in South China and Weeks Mills… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Rufus Matthew Jones, of China
CHINA HISTORY — China native Rufus Matthew Jones was another writer with a religious background, like Sylvester Judd, though both his religion and his writing style were quite different. Various sources describe him as a philosopher, religious leader, theologian and mystic; he was also a writer, magazine editor, historian and educator… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sylvester Judd of Augusta
AUGUSTA HISTORY — Another local writer mentioned in Thomas Addison’s chapter on literary people in Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history was Rev. Sylvester Judd, who was born in Westhampton, Massachusetts, and grew up in adjoining Northampton… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Augusta-area authors
AUGUSTA HISTORY — This week’s article is about two more Augusta-area writers whose careers began in the 19th century. In order of birth, they are Edward Stanwood (born in Augusta, spent most of his career in the Boston area) and Laura E. Richards (born in the Boston area, spent most of her career in Gardiner, two towns south of Augusta)… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 16, 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: William F. Vining, Norridgewock
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Did you know there are no native earthworms in Maine. Here in the Northeast where glaciers scrubbed our bedrock bare a few years back we have no native earthworms. Non-native earthworms from Europe (such as nightcrawlers) have become well established here through early colonial trading. Though they are beneficial to our gardens, earthworms can have destructive effects on our forests…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | Having happy and satisfied customers is the most rewarding aspect of owning a business. If you concentrate on your customers and focus on delighting them you will never run out of business. You can have all the sales you want, all the price gouging, all of the promotions and advertising and, yes, they will all work to a certain extent but the number one thing that will make your company grow and thrive is having a following of delighted customers…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | In the interest of getting a few columns ready a few weeks ahead of time, I am writing this one on April 20, the 135th birthday anniversary of one of the two most evil dictators of the 20th century (the other being Joseph Stalin), namely former German chancellor Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | These tips may help you stay on track with your plan to eat healthier. Reduce the overall calories you consume. If you consume more calories than you use through daily living, exercise, and other activities, it may lead to weight gain. If you consume fewer calories than you use through physical activity, it may lead to weight loss…