Issue for November 7, 2024

Celebrating 36 years of local news

Proud to serve his country; would do it all over again

It was before Veterans Day, but hearing a cashier say, thank you for your service, to the man ahead of me at the grocery store, made me smile. Since the war that resulted in forming the United States of America, people have had opinions on what would, could, should have happened if… by Roberta Barnes

How will your town celebrate Veterans’ Day

Before they stepped off the Mayflower, in November 1620, the male passengers, led by William Bradford, signed a Compact guaranteeing to each other that they would make, abide by, and enforce their own laws, thereby, creating America’s ‘First Constitution’. America ‘the land of the free and the brave’ was born that day. On November 11, 2024 America will celebrate the 404th anniversary of the signing of the Mayflower Compact…

Town News

Select board brings back workshops, hoping to revive tradition

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro select board members held a workshop meeting on Oct. 30, hoping to revive the annual tradition after several years’ break. The purpose is to begin prioritizing issues they plan to address in the next few years…

Voters approve two of three local referendum questions

VASSALBORO – Vassalboro voters approved two of three local referendum questions at the polls on Nov. 5, according to Town Clerk Cathy Coyne. All three decisions were by narrow margins…

One incumbent, two newcomers elected to China select board

CHINA – China Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported the following voting results early Wednesday morning, Nov. 6…

Scouts play games at Bomazeen

BELGRADE – Imagine playing your favorite board games all day. Further imagine that the games are larger than life and you play them outside at Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, during a spectacular autumn weekend when the peak foliage reflects magically on the ripples of Great Pond…

Symmetree fall letter: Ever wonder why trees change their leaf colors, and drop them?

CENTRAL ME – We always welcome this time of year for tree work as the days begin to cool and shorten. The season’s shift is felt by trees as well as us. Have you ever wondered what it is that makes deciduous trees change colors and drop their leaves?…

Kennebec Valley Community College adds student lodging option

CENTRAL ME – Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is excited to announce that for the first time in its 55-year history, lodging will be available for 50 first-time, full-time students beginning in fall 2025…

What you should know about nutrition and sleep

HEALTH – When it comes to feeling healthy and refreshed, prioritizing sleep is non-negotiable. But whether it’s falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested in the morning, we all experience challenges from time to time…

Pamela Partridge winner of AARP award

CENTRAL ME – AARP Maine announced recently that North Anson resident, Pamela Partridge, is the winner of the 2024 Andrus Award named in honor of AARP’s founder Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus…

Northern Light Inland Hospital changes leadership

CENTRAL ME – Northern Light Health announces that Tricia Costigan has stepped down from her role as president of Northern Light Inland Hospital and Northern Light Continuing Care, Lakewood, effective immediately…

New Physician Assistant joins Unity Practice

UNITY – Northern Light Primary Care, in Unity, welcomes Jennifer Fitzpatrick, physician assistant, to their team…

Conjuring Carroll awarded scholarship grant

CENTRAL ME – The National Center for Agricultural Literacy (NCLA) recently launched its Certified Agricultural Literacy Educator program is designed for K-12 educators, through the University of Utah…

Northern Light Acadia to launch innovative Dementia Care training program

CENTRAL ME – Northern Light Acadia Hospital is thrilled to announce the launch of a comprehensive dementia care training program in rural Maine…

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust announces Honor a Veteran contest

CENTRAL ME – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has announced the Honor a Veteran contest, an online campaign that gives community members the opportunity to nominate a veteran or active service member who they feel deserves recognition for their dedication to our country…

Red Cross asks you to test your smoke alarms

CENTRAL ME – Daylight saving time ended on November 3 and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms…

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: “Take your stinking paws off me you damned dirty ape!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is November 7, 2024.

TEAM PHOTO: Fairfield PAL senior champions

FAIRFIELD — Team photo by Casey Dugas, Central Maine Photography…

PHOTO: Lawrence H.S. girls soccer captains

FAIRFIELD — Soccer team captains by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography…

Local happenings

EVENTS: Veterans urged to take part in Veterans Day parade

WATERVILLE/WINSLOW — All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m…

EVENTS: Local vets invited to march in Veterans day parade

CENTRAL ME – All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m. It will be followed by lunch at MacCrillis-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8835, on Veterans Drive, in Winslow.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Cookie walk in Vassalboro

VASSALBORO – Simone Antworth organizes the annual “Cookie Walk” at Vassalboro United Methodist Church. The event will take place at 614 Main Street, on Saturday, November 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m… and many other local events!

Obituaries

WINSLOW – Richard Quinlan, 87, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024. He was born on November 16, 1936, in Winchester, Massachusetts, the son of Edward and Ethel Quinlan…

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Winslow & Waterville (new)

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

Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Education in Vassalboro & Sidney

CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Another Kennebec Valley town incorporated April 26, 1771, simultaneously with Hallowell (then including Augusta), was Vassalboro, then including Sidney. Vassalboro’s and Sidney’s early educational systems will therefore be examined next… by Mary Grow

Around the Kennebec Valley: Augusta education – Part 2

AUGUSTA HISTORY — By 1820, James North wrote in his 1870 history of Augusta, the town was again thriving after the economic downturn caused by the War of 1812… by Mary Grow

Around the Kennebec Valley: Augusta education – Part 1

MAINE HISTORY — The town – now city – of Augusta was created on Feb. 20, 1797, when the Massachusetts legislature, responding to a local petition, divided the town of Hallowell… by Mary Grow

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, November 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: Carrie McGrath, So. China

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Eels are a little scary. I know for a fact that eels exist in Webber Pond, in Vassalboro, because my wife and I have caught them. They also can be found in China Lake…

SMALL SPACE GARDENING

by Melinda Myers | Soil is the foundation of a healthy garden, but let’s be honest, most gardeners don’t like spending time, energy, and money on it. It’s more fun to show off pretty flowers or share tasty vegetables. But creating a healthy soil foundation will increase your growing success which means more beautiful flowers, larger harvests, and a healthier landscape to enjoy…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | The Coast of Maine by Louise Dickinson Rich (1903-1991) was first published in 1956 and subsequently revised in 1962 and 1970. Dipping in it, I came across the following…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

HEALTH | If you or someone you care for is ever among the millions of people in the United States who suffer from a loss of visual function as the result of stroke, concussion, traumatic brain injury and other illnesses and conditions, there’s information you may want to see…