Issue for May 4, 2023
KVYSO senior spotlight on Breckon Davidson
The Kennebec Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra (KVYSO), is proud to feature Breckon Davidson, a senior at Erskine Academy, in South China, in our Senior Spotlight article. He is a talented, diligent musician whose participation in KVYSO has added to the quality and level of ensemble community… Submitted by Jen Tuminaro
Town News
Town warrant in almost-final form for select board, attorney review
VASSALBORO – By the April 27 Vassalboro select board meeting, Town Manager Aaron Miller had the warrant for the annual town meeting in almost-final form for board members’ review…
Planners approve adding storage vault to town office
CHINA – The three China Planning Board members at the April 25 meeting quickly, unanimously and with almost no discussion approved the Town of China’s application to add a storage vault to the town office building…
Browntail Moth Update from the Maine Forest Service
CENTRAL ME – This week, we observed browntail caterpillar emergence at all of our monitoring sites. It should be noted that although emergence was seen at every site, not every web has had caterpillar emergence. This is likely because of the recent rainy weather we’ve been experiencing across the state…
Legislative Report as of Thursday, May 4, 2023
CENTRAL ME – List of legislative bills sponsored by local senators and representatives…
Joyce Benner celebrates 100th birthday with Young at Heart seniors
WINDSOR – On April 19, 2023, there was a celebrity in the house at The Young at Heart monthly meeting. One of the members, Joyce (Creamer) Benner turned 100 years old. She was born on March 4, 1923, and grew up in Waldoboro…
AYCC celebrated opening day for baseball and softball programs
WATERVILLE – The Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC), serving the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville, held a very special opening day for its baseball and softball program on Wednesday, April 26, at the Colby College Baseball Field. More than 200 kids, ages five to 12 participated, along with the Colby College baseball and Thomas College women’s softball teams… by Mark Huard
Maine Wolf Coalition captures video and photo documentation of another apparent Maine wolf
CENTRAL ME – A fourth apparent wolf has been documented in Maine. Prior to this current animal, wolves were killed in 1993 and 1996. In 2019, The Maine Wolf Coalition, Inc. (MWC) documented a live Eastern/Algonquin wolf through collection of its scat. The 2019 animal was the first DNA documented live wolf in the state… Submitted by John M. Glowa Sr.
LETTERS: Waiting…and waiting
from Lyn Rowden (Fairfield) – I love reading The Town Line and am so glad we still have an actual real paper weekly. I absolutely love the variety of the regular columns like Roland’s, Peter’s, and Melinda’s. I have learned a lot from Eric! Today I just had to give a cheer to Dan Beaulieu on his April 20 column…
LETTERS: Kudos to everyone involved
from David W. Landmann (Windsor) – I’d like to express my thanks and appreciation to all those folks who made the Regional Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste collection on April 22 happen. It appears that KVCOG had a leadership role, as did the various town select board…
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Easy home lawn care for Mainers: Tips and tricks for a beautiful lawn
CENTRAL ME — Hey there fellow Mainers! Keeping a beautiful lawn in our great state can be a bit of a challenge, given our cold winters and unpredictable weather. But fear not, we’re here to help you make lawn care a breeze. In this article, we’ll discuss easy home lawn care tips, including how to repair damage from snow plows, fix bare patches, and revive grass killed by cold…
Seven mistakes to avoid when decluttering your home
CENTRAL ME — The spring cleaning season is always such a great time to refresh your home and everyday lifestyle. Are you already planning to deep clean your carpets and rugs, clean all of your home’s windows, and wipe down all counters and cabinets? These are all fantastic steps to take, but have you thought about taking the time to declutter each room? You may not know it, but if you have a cluttered home, you are unknowingly hurting your mental wellbeing… by Christina Giaquinto
Adding a deck to your home
CENTRAL ME — Adding a deck to your home not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides an inviting space for outdoor activities and gatherings. In Maine, with its harsh climate and stunning natural beauty, building a deck requires thoughtful planning and consideration. In this article, we will discuss the factors to consider when adding a new deck, the costs associated with such a project, the options for DIY or hiring a contractor, and how to build a deck that withstands Maine’s weather conditions…
Embrace energy efficiency with heat pumps
CENTRAL ME — Maine residents are increasingly choosing heat pumps to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs. In this article, we’ll discuss what heat pumps are, their benefits, and the costs associated with upgrading a house with a new heat pump. What is a heat pump, and how does it differ from traditional systems?…
School News
Vassalboro Community School third quarter honor roll
VASSALBORO — List of honor roll students for the third quarter of 2023 at Vassalboro Community School…
Liberty student named to Abilene Christian University’s fall dean’s honor roll
LIBERTY — Cassondra Heath, of Liberty, was named to the Abilene Christian University, in Abilene, Texas, fall 2022 dean’s honor roll. Heath is a freshman majoring in music teaching….
Local residents earn award from WGU
AUGUSTA/LIBERTY — The following local residents have earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University, in Salt Lake City, Utah: Whitney Poplawski, of Augusta, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health; Brenda Ryder, of Liberty, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University College of Business…
Local residents named to Simmons U. dean’s list
WINSLOW/WATERVILLE — The following local students were named to the 2022 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons University, in Boston, Massachusetts: Emma Soule, of Farmingdale, Abigail Bloom, of Waterville, and Maddie Beckwith, of Winslow…
Local happenings
EVENTS: It’s Maine Pottery Tour time
CENTRAL ME – Springtime in Maine can mean daffodils or snow, and sometimes both, but the first weekend in May has meant the Maine Pottery Tour for more than a decade. The 11th annual Maine Pottery Tour welcomes visitors on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, 2023. The self-guided tour is an opportunity to enjoy spring in Vacationland and the hospitality of local potters in their studios…
EVENTS: Gaslight Theater’s 2023 season continues
HALLOWELL – Gaslight Theater’s 2023 Season of Laughter continued in April and May with Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy, directed by Lucille Rioux. The show will be produced at Hallowell Cithy Hall Auditorium, at 1 Winthrop St., in Hallowell, over two weekends, including Sunday matinees, April 28, 29 and 30, and May 5, 6, 7. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m…
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
Name that film!
Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville: “Open the pod bay doors, please HAL.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is May 4, 2023…
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: Plant sale at Albion library
ALBION — The Albion Public Library will hold a plant sale on Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will have a variety of annuals and perennials, at bargain prices… 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
BENTON – Robert Charles Morrissette, 88, of Benton, passed away peacefully in his “little shack in the woods” on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, following a short illness. Bob was born September 6, 1934, in Waterville, and lived in the greater Waterville area his entire life… and remembering 11 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 11, 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: Alden Cook, Augusta
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | I will start this column by saying I know we don’t have any of these around here, but on a recent vacation to the Outer Banks, of North Carolina, I saw several of them. A group of us rented a house on the beach in Nags Head, North Carolina, for a week of relaxation…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | I saw this quote on an inspirational calendar: “The greatest waste of natural resources are unused talents and untried ideas. In my opinion, the cause of such was/is usually one or a combination of the two – lack of confidence and/or money…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | My first experience of Ray Charles (1930-2004) was as a kid in the early ‘60s watching Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in which the singer made an appearance singing his megahit Georgia on My Mind. I remember being struck by his combination of calm stage presence with consummate timing and delivery…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
With heart disease remaining a leading cause of death in the United States, more Americans are seeking ways to promote cardiovascular health. Amidst the picturesque landscapes of the northeastern state of Maine, residents and visitors alike are discovering the benefits of outdoor activities for maintaining a healthy heart. From hiking to swimming, the state offers various ways to engage in exercise and leisure activities that contribute to overall well-being…