Issue for November 28, 2024
Local Modern Woodmen members honor Jeff Meader
Local volunteer Jeff Meader, of Oakland, Maine, was recently recognized for countless hours of service to the community during a Modern Woodmen of America member event on November 18, 2024. Meader was honored through Modern Woodmen’s Hometown Hero program for his dedication to the Sons of American Legion and American Legion Post #51, where he serves as Assistant Finance Officer…
Benefit holiday online auction open to all
A 10-day holiday season online auction starts on Black Friday to benefit the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) beginning Friday, November 29, at 8 a.m. through Monday, December 9, at 8 a.m. Browse more than 130 items and place bids from the warmth and comfort of your home at ANY time of the day or night during those ten days. The option to “buy now” is included with each item or place bids instead…
Town News
Windsor select board recommends abolishing Conservation Commission Committee
WINDSOR – At their October 22 meeting, the Windsor Select Board voted unanimously to recommend a warrant article to abolish the Conservation Commission Ordinance at the June 2024 town meeting…
Vassalboro planning board approves site review application by public works dept.
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro Planning Board members held a special meeting on Nov. 19 at which they unanimously approved a site review application from the town’s public works department…
State Rep. LaRochelle withdraws recount request for Senate District 15
CENTRAL ME – On Saturday, the Office of the Maine Secretary of State confirmed that the recount for Senate District #15, initially scheduled for Monday, had been officially withdrawn…
L.C. Bates Natural History Museum closed for winter
HINCKLEY – The L.C. Bates Natural History Museum at Good Will-Hinckley is now closed to the public for the winter season. During this time, tours and group admissions are available by appointment only…
Vassalboro Legion gathering personal care products for VA Veterans Home
VASSALBORO – During the holiday season for the last three years, members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, gathered personal care products, puzzle books, and snacks for veterans at Togus Veterans Home, in Augusta. With the support of various organizations and individuals this has been an amazing display of generosity and thanks to our veterans…
PHOTO: Local artist gifts piece to China Community Food Pantry
CHINA – The photo of a gift to the China Food Pantry. The gift is a large painting (approximately 8 feet long) by Chris Fields, a resident of South China. The painting depicts Fields’ concept of the Pantry’s 32-year contribution to the town of China, painted on local lumber…
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: “Striker: Surely you can’t be serious.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is December 5, 2024.
Local happenings
EVENTS: VHS to conduct Christmas through the Ages
VASSALBORO – What a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas through the Ages. This wonderful fundraiser has been used by a variety of Maine historical societies and now the Vassalboro Historical Society is hosting, along with three local homes and two other organizations. Learn about the different times and how they celebrated Christmas…
EVENTS: Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30
CENTRAL ME – Small Business Saturday is this coming Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2024. Are you interested in writing a story on the holiday shopping season or want to arrange an interview with a small business advocate in the area? The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business association, is here to help…
EVENTS: China flag retirement ceremony set for Dec. 5
CHINA – A flag retirement ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Boynton-Webber American Legion Hall, in South China. Transfer station safety officer Cheyenne Houle said it will honor the more than 300 worn-out United States flags that have been left in the flag disposal boxes provided at the transfer station, plus others from Boy Scouts and other local groups…
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Joshua C. Breton, “Captain Josh”, 40, of Vassalboro, passed away peacefully, at Andwell Hospice House, in Auburn on Saturday, November 16, 2024, of cancer. He was born on December 1, 1983, in Waterville, the son of Carol Axtell and Raymond Breton…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Vassalboro tool sale to benefit local nonprofits
VASSALBORO – Three local nonprofits will benefit from a tool and supplies sale at the former Suga Country Products Store, 871 Cross Hill Road, Vassalboro, on two Saturdays, November 23, and 30, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m… and many other local events!
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Winslow Schools – Continued (new)
WINSLOW HISTORY — This week’s article was to be a discussion of early schools in Fairfield, continuing the subseries on early education, but again your writer has been distracted. The first diversion, this week, is back to Winslow elementary schools, about which summary information was provided in the Nov. 7 issue… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Jeremiah Chaplin & James Hanson
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Instead of moving to the next town, this article will provide abbreviated biographies of two men mentioned in last week’s story of educational development in Waterville… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education: Waterville, Winslow high schools
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Before moving on to 19th-century Winslow and Waterville high schools, your writer will share one more item about Waterville grammar schools. With its ramifications, it was too long for last week’s article… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Winslow & Waterville
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — The northernmost of three area towns incorporated on April 26, 1771, was Winslow, on the east bank of the Kennebec River, then including Waterville and Oakland on the west bank… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, December 11, 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: Mary Jane Vigue, Winslow
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey as the national bird of the United States, but he never publicly voiced his opposition to the bald eagle…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | As a follow-up to last month’s stroll down Memory Lane, here is another article Carleen Cote wrote in 2004: “Over our 40 years, we have cared for every species of Maine mammal except for the Pine Martin [sic]. We have cared for every species of water mammal…
FARMGIRL AT HEART
by Virginia Jones | As I go outdoors in the morning to do farm chores I am met with a crisp and cold wind. I notice little changes in the air; the color of the leaves as they shed their coats to bring us brilliant colors and the shade of the clouds as they glide swiftly by. It is these little changes that, if not observed, will go away too fast and then be forgotten…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Italian composer Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945) experienced the most extraordinary success when, at the age of 28 in 1891, his opera Cavalliera Rusticana was premiered in Italy. It would receive over 14,000 productions between then and the beginning of World War I in 1914…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | If you or someone you care for is ever among America’s more than 2 million military personnel or in their families—or even if you’re not—here’s a story you may find inspiring…