Issue for May 20, 2021
Madison Legion Auxiliary donates backpacks to needy children
In observance of April as Children and Youth Month, members of the Tardiff-Belanger American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39, Madison, donated backpacks filled with essential items such as clothes, pj’s, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries, hats, mittens, hygiene products for the older children and toys. Included this year are many socks from their “Drive-Thru Sock Hop” which was held back in February… submitted by Harriet Bryant
Your Local News
Planners approve extension on solar permit
CHINA — At their May 11 meeting China Planning Board members approved a one-year extension of SunRaise Investments’ permit for a solar development on Route 3…
CBC decision makes it easier for consultants to prepare costs
CHINA — At their May 13 meeting, China Broadband Committee (CBC) members unanimously approved one piece of the outline of their proposed China Community Broadband Project, making it easier for their consultants to prepare cost scenarios…
Committee gets update from Fiberight
CHINA — China Transfer Station Committee members focused on various forms of recycling at their May 11 meeting, talking about China’s Free for the Taking building; regional hazardous waste disposal and alternatives; and additional recycling possibilities…
Library, town-sponsored rec coordination gets conditional interest
VASSALBORO — At their May 13 meeting, Vassalboro selectmen talked about coordinating Vassalboro’s town-sponsored recreation program with the Vassalboro Public Library, with library Director Brian Stanley expressing conditional interest…
Selectmen work through routine agenda
WINDSOR — The Windsor board of selectmen worked through a routine agenda at their April 27 meeting, approving all motions unanimously. All selectmen were present for the meeting…
OPINIONS: Potential Adams Memorial Park on Lakeview Drive
CHINA — To sell or not to sell? That is the question you will be asked in Article 25 on China’s June 8 ballot. The property in question is on tax map 63, lot 008, located on the west side of Lakeview Drive, across from The Cabins… by Janet Preston
EVENTS: Farmers Market open
WATERVILLE — The Waterville Farmers Market is open at the Head of Falls, off Front St., every Thursday, from 2 – 6 p.m…
EVENTS: Pond construction and maintenance workshop on June 4
ROCKPORT — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, in partnership with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), is sponsoring a Pond Construction and Maintenance Workshop on Friday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the District office at 893 West Street in Rockport…
EVENTS: Amber Lambke to address Leadership Luncheon
WATERVILLE — Amber Lambke, founder and CEO of Maine Grains, Inc., will speak at the June Leadership Luncheon on Thursday, June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Amici’s Cucina, 137 Main Street, Waterville…
EVENTS: Skowhegan class of 1963 to meet
SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan High School class of 1963 will be gathering for a breakfast buffet on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 9:30 a.m., at 234 Hilton Hill, MountainsView, Cornville. FMI call 858-0946…
EVENTS: Summer reading program for children & teens coming from Winslow Public Library
WINSLOW — This summer the Winslow Public Library will again proudly offer the Summer Reading Program for children and teens. The theme this summer is Tails and Tales, which young readers will discover through art, stories, STEM, and imagination-themed activities. Due to the pandemic, most aspects of the program will be offered outdoors with mask requirements and social distance protocols, while other aspects will be offered online…
Vassalboro Sestercentennial Scavenger Hunt
Item #5:
An item commemorating Vassalboro’s 1971 Bicentennial Celebration.
May 28 is National Poppy Day
MADISON — Members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, Madison, will be distributing bright red poppies in exchange for a donation throughout the Month of May at various businesses in Madison. The Flanders Fields poppy has become an internationally-known and recognized symbol of the lives sacrificed in war and the hope that none died in vain…
Rena Harding receives Boston Post Cane
ALBION — Rena Zelia Harding, of Harding Road, Albion, was presented the Boston Post Cane Award on May 1, 2021, at her residence. She will be 99 years old on October 29 this year. Rena’s maiden name was Bailey and formerly was from Palermo…
Inland vaccinations schedule change
CENTRAL ME — Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Light Inland Hospital has adapted care and service to meet the needs of our communities…
Seven things to know before choosing a metal roof
CENTRAL ME — Rain on a tin roof proves so soothing that it can be found on white noise machines and meditation apps alike, but that’s not the only reason (nor one of the top!) for its popularity among today’s homeowners…
Pointers on preparing for power outages
CENTRAL ME — More Americans suffered extended power outages in 2020 than any year since Superstorm Sandy struck the New York area in 2012, according to Generac, owners of Power Outage Central, a real-time outage tracking service that monitors outages throughout the United States…
How much does window replacement cost?
CENTRAL ME — If the windows in your home aren’t opening and closing like they used to or if they’re letting in the cold air, it may be time for replacement windows. Knowing the overall cost of window replacement can help keep you within the project’s budget and avoid any surprise costs down the road…
Bathroom design & remodel on a budget
CENTRAL ME — So you’re ready to redecorate and redesign your bathroom. But dropping $20,000 on a deluxe spa retreat is light years away from what you can afford to spend. You don’t need mega-bucks to transform your bathroom into a relaxing, cool space. There are plenty of ways to renovate and redesign on a budget…
2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: ALBION, CHINA, FAIRFIELD, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE, WINDSOR and WINSLOW…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges – Part 7 (New)
MAINE HISTORY — Maine State Grange voted at its 22nd meeting, held in Bangor in 1895, to raise money to build and equip a “cottage” for the new “Girls’ Farm” at what was then Good Will Homes, in Hinckley, one of Fairfield’s original seven villages… by Mary Grow [1570 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges – Part 6
MAINE HISTORY — The members of the next Grange to be discussed should be proud to belong to one of the earliest Grange organizations in the central Kennebec Valley area, and one that is still active in its 147th year… by Mary Grow [1709 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges – Part 5
MAINE HISTORY — In addition to the East Vassalboro Grange discussed last week, Vassalboro had two other Grange organizations. According to Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history, the earliest of the three was Oak Grove Grange #167, organized in North Vassalboro on May 11, 1875… by Mary Grow [1567 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Granges – Part 4
MAINE HISTORY — Historical records show the Town of Vassalboro has had three separate Grange organizations, of which the newest, East Vassalboro, is still active in its 126th year… by Mary Grow and Bernie Welch [1371 words]
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – James Frederick Ronco, Jr., 86, passed away Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Mount Saint Joseph’s Nursing Home, in Waterville, following a long illness with Parkinson’s Disease. Born April 17, 1935, in the home of his grandmother, Emma Burgess Ronco, in Fairfield Center, the first of three sons of Lorna Sarah (Abbott) Ronco and James F. Ronco, Sr… and remembering 11 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, June 4, 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: Geri Timmins, Waterville.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | You have to be living in a cave not to know that deer ticks are at an all time high. They are everywhere. Friends and family have told me stories about their encounters with the pest, and they all have one thing in common: They have all had multiple numbers on them at one time…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Back during my college years, I considered Rudolf Serkin (1903-1991) my favorite pianist. He played with a most engaging combination of rhythmic muscularity, musical virtuosity, and fervent heart and soul in whatever work he was giving his total attention to…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Last week I started telling you about my urinary adventure. As I told you it can affect men and women. All I know about the men is they are generally whinier than women (we know that, right, girls?). When you read these adventures, please know that I am only talking about my experience and you would have to research for your own situation with your doctor…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | This week I’m going to start out with our story about a little chickadee that has been at our windows trying to get in for over three weeks. Now for some information about Black-Capped Chickadees…