Issue for October 21, 2021
PHOTOS: Scouts at Camp Bomazeen
Tristan Morton, of Augusta, Pack #603, and his mother, above, and see other scouts enjoying Camp Bomazeen, in Belgrade, this summer. (photos courtesy of Chuck Mahaleris)…
Waterville StoryWalk to launch on North Street Community Connector Trail: Daniel Finds a Poem
The Waterville Public Library and partners are delighted to announce the launch of a StoryWalk® at the North Street Community Connector Trail, in Waterville. Beginning Saturday, October 23, 2021, please visit and enjoy reading the book Daniel Finds a Poem, by Micha Archer, as you walk along the trail behind the North Street playground and alongside the Messalonskee Stream…
Your Local News
Consultant advises select board on fire department compliance
CHINA — In addition to acting on the sale of town-owned land on Lakeview Drive, China Select Board members heard a variety of reports at their Oct. 12 meeting. A new one was from consultant Lynn Gilley Martin, of Fire Service Compliancy Associates, who said she works with, but not for, the state Department of Labor…
Medical marijuana retail store approved
CHINA — China Planning Board members have approved Miguel Rivera’s application to open a medical marijuana retail store in the former Knowles Mechanical Building, at 1097 Route 3…
TIF committee proposes revision to grant form
CHINA — China’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Committee members used their Oct. 18 meeting to propose revisions to the three-year-old application form for a grant from TIF funds…
Maine’s Congressional district map approved
CENTRAL ME — The last week in September, the bipartisan Maine Apportionment Commission approved final congressional and legislative district maps based on the 2020 census results and submitted both to the legislature… by Jeanne Marquis
LETTERS: A thank you to the community, Supports Marquis for selectboard
from Irene Belanger (China) — I would like to thank the Town of China for the many years of continuous support during my terms of office. After 22 years serving on the selectboard, I have decided it is time to hand over the baton to someone else. Jeanne Marquis has the same spirit for volunteerism and the deep connection to China as I have had over the years…
LETTERS: Marquis is superb candidate
from Stephen Greene (China) — Good government in our community requires the election of outstanding candidates. The best candidates offer personal qualities such as independence, non-partisanship, positivity, knowledge, balance and modesty. They also possess a demonstrated record of community achievement and action. Jeanne Marquis is a superb candidate who meets that test…
LETTERS: Jeanne is a darn good listener
from Richard Dillenbeck (China) — Over the past few years, I have become acquainted with Jeanne Marquis. I was informed recently she is running for the office of selectperson to serve the town of China in a leadership position. I find Jeanne to be a darn good listener and to have great loyalty to the town in which her family has lived for generations…
LETTERS: Opposed to candidate because of past performance
from Marilyn Reed (China) — I feel compelled to write this letter to both the selectmen, the selectmen candidates and the residents of the Town of China. I am concerned that Peter Foote, a former selectman, may be a candidate for re-election as a selectman for the Town of China…
LETTERS: Voting “yes” for better internet service
from Joann C. Austin (China) — I feel compelled to write to the Selectmen of China, and the townspeople. The town selectboard asked in 2017….., that’s four years ago….., for help. The Town,….we…., needed some people who understand the workings of the internet to solve our connectivity issues. For many in our town, Covid has made poor internet connectivity and poor internet speeds even more apparent…
LETTERS: Vote “yes” for better internet
from Fred Wiand (China) — Please consider all the advantages of good internet service and how continued poor service could keep our town years behind the rest of the country. Internet is important in so many ways. Three come to mind immediately: education, business and personal…
LOCAL EVENTS
Town manager to hold coffee and conversation
WINSLOW — Town of Winslow Manager Erica LaCroix is hosting a series of events entitled “Coffee with the Manager” to discuss issues and ideas that are important to residents … on Wednesday, October 20, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Winslow Parks and Recreation Office…
Sew for a Cause at St. Bridget’s Center
VASSALBORO — The Sew for a Cause group is working with American Legion Post #126, in Vassalboro, on a project. The ladies have made a couple hundred patriotic themed Christmas stockings. Members of American Legion Post #126 are also collecting personal care items such as shampoo, shaving cream, socks, soap, etc., and snack treats to fill the stockings…
TEAM PHOTOS: Winslow travel soccer
WINSLOW — Team photos for Winslow travel soccer U-13 & U-10, by Central Maine Photography…
Protect Maine’s forest: don’t purchase or use bittersweet or multiflora rose in decorations
CENTRAL ME — The Maine Department of Agricultural, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) urges Mainers to beware of invasive plants that may be used in wreaths, garlands, and other fall decorations…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville Liberal Institute (new)
WATERVILLE HISTORY — In Waterville, in addition to the private and public schools already described, there was Waterville Liberal Institute. An on-line list of Universalists’ “higher institutions of learning” says Waterville Liberal Institute opened in 1835… by Mary Grow [1508 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: More high schools (Vassalboro)
VASSALBORO HISTORY — In Vassalboro, which until 1792 included Sidney on the west side of the Kennebec River, voters first discussed schools in 1771, the year the town was incorporated. According to Alma Pierce Robbins’ Vassalboro history, voters at a September town meeting approved “Thirty Pounds Lawful money” to support a minister – and refused to appropriate anything to support a schoolmaster… by Mary Grow [1944 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Even more high schools
ALBION, BENTON & CLINTON HISTORY — Continuing the discussion of (mostly) 19th-century high school education, this article will talk about Albion, Benton, and Clinton. In following weeks, continuing alphabetically, readers will find information on Fairfield, Palermo, Sidney (don’t expect much), Vassalboro, Windsor and Winslow… by Mary Grow [2215 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: More high schools
CHINA HISTORY — The Massachusetts legislature chartered China Academy in June 1818. Charter language quoted in the China bicentennial history is almost identical to the language used 50 or so years later for Hallowell Classical and Scientific Academy: purposes are to promote “piety, and virtue,” and to provide instruction “in such languages and in such of the liberal arts and sciences” as the trustees prescribe… by Mary Grow [1976 words]
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident (click thumbnail to enlarge)…
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2021-’22 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
2021-2022 Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, FAIRFIELD, PALERMO, SIDNEY, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE, WINDSOR and WINSLOW…
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Priscilla E. Wescott, 81, passed away Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Zepherhills, Florida. She was born August 9, 1940, in Morrill, the daughter of Harry B. and Lytle (Thomas) Eaton… and remembering 13 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, November 5, 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: Greg Wood, Rome
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | The Maine moose hunting season is underway. It has not always been that way. The moose hunting season was reintroduced in 1980 on an experimental basis, when 700 permits were issued to residents. At that time, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife estimated the moose population to be in the vicinity of 20,000 – 25,000 animals…
ERIC’S TECH TALK
by Eric W. Austin | On the ballot this November is a question that has the potential to revolutionize internet access for residents of China. The question is also long, at over 200 words, a bit confusing and filled with legalese. As a resident of China, a technophile, and a reporter for The Town Line newspaper, I wanted to understand this initiative, figure out exactly what it’s attempting to accomplish, and try to find out what residents of China think about the future of local internet access…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Do you ever wonder? Tonight, I am wondering. I am wondering, is there ever going to be an end to these ridiculous phone calls or junk mail? I know I am not alone. So why are we bombarded with such junk?…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) , whom I hope to discuss more about at a later date, wrote the following about his friend Herman Melville (1819-1891), another true original genius among American writers of the 19th century, when Melville visited him in Southport, England, during the older writer’s years as the American consul…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | There’s a reason you shouldn’t skip your routine eye exam—and many people don’t even know about it. A growing body of research shows that vision loss can affect how well your brain works…