Issue for September 18, 2025
China Middle School students hold 9/11 car wash
The weather this year on September 11 was picture perfect, a beautiful late summer day just like the one 24 years ago when one of our nation’s greatest tragedies unfolded before our eyes. The seventh and eighth graders at China Middle School weren’t even alive in 2001, and many of their parents were in school themselves on that fateful day. To help them better understand how our nation was forever changed that day, the students participated in a two-week unit about 9/11 in the classroom. And to pay their respects, show their gratitude, and give honor to all the first responders, police officers, firefighters, and veterans who sacrificed so much for us, not just on 9/11, but everyday, the students hosted a free car wash last Thursday at school… by Aimée Lanteigne
Fall foliage report: All zones very low
Foliage season enthusiasts can visit the state’s official foliage website where weekly reports are available online and by email. Capture and share fall adventures by tagging photos with #MaineFoliage on social media. Stay inspired through the Maine Fall Foliage Facebook and Instagram accounts featuring fresh images and seasonal activities from across the state…
Town News
Conservation Commission would like more public support
VASSALBORO – Members of Vassalboro’s Conservation Commission, whose responsibilities include improving and maintaining Monument Park and Eagle Park on Route 32 in and near East Vassalboro, welcome cooperation with related committees and would like more public support…
School board hears update on staff, finances & repairs
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro School Board members heard and discussed updates on staff, finances, repairs and other topics at their Sept. 9 meeting, the first since the new school year started…
RSU #18 welcomes new superintendent
CENTRAL ME – Wilton native Andrew Carlton has “the job I’ve wanted since I became a superintendent of schools:” the superintendency of Oakland-based Regional School Unit (RSU) #18…
Transfer station committee has new chairman
CHINA – China’s Transfer Station Committee has a new member, Judy Van Norman from Palermo (succeeding Chris Diesch, who resigned), and a new chairman, Benjamin Weymouth (succeeding Chris Baumann, who moved out of state). At the Sept. 9 committee meeting, members expressed appreciation to both Chrises for their work on the committee…
HealthReach welcomes new clinician
BELGRADE – This September, staff of the Belgrade Regional Health Center welcomed Teresa Farrington, DO, to their professional healthcare team. Dr. Farrington earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from The University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Kansas City, Missouri…
Emma Barlow enrolls at James Madison University
WINSLOW — Winslow resident, Emma Barlow, has enrolled at James Madison University, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for the fall 2025 semester. Barlow is majoring in Hospitality Management – BS.
Elmira College recognizes annual Key Award recipients
CENTRAL ME — Elmira College, in Elmira, New York, recently announced this year’s recipients of its annual Key Award. This year’s award was given to 807 students in 18 states as well as Canada. The Key Award is presented to outstanding students in their junior year of high school or preparatory school. They include: Peyton Antone, of Augusta; Elliotte Podey, of China; and Rylee McKay, of Oakland…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Registration is open for Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital’s 31st Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
CENTRAL ME — Save the date for Saturday, October 18, for Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital’s 31st annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. Registration is open and the event is available to all ages. Proceeds from the walk will support mammograms, equipment, or other service needs to enhance the care provided at Northern Light Women’s Health in Pittsfield…
EVENTS: Mid-Maine Chamber to host a Night in Monte Carlo
WATERVILLE — Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Super Raffle Dinner is back, with more entertainment than ever before. Dress in your best Monte Carlo-themed costume and join the annual dinner, which will be hosted on September 25 at Kennebec Valley Community College, in the Kennebec Room, Carter Hall. This year’s event, titled A Night in Monte Carlo, is sponsored by Huhtamaki and will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and drawings at 6:30 p.m…
EVENTS: GrowSmart Maine Summit returns to Waterville
WATERVILLE — Maine’s rural communities are defined by local heritage and spirit, and impacted, for better or worse, by the intersections of Federal, state, local policies and investments. This Summit will delve into how Maine’s rural communities can navigate the complex interplay of federal, state, and local policies and investments to build resilient and prosperous futures, while preserving their distinct sense of place…
EVENTS: UMaine Extension announces horticulture and gardening training programs
CENTRAL ME — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will open registration this month for two comprehensive horticulture education programs designed for aspiring professionals and passionate home gardeners alike…
EVENTS: Mitchell to speak at historical society
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro resident Elizabeth (Libby) Mitchell will speak at the Vassalboro Historical Society about her long career in politics representing the town, on Sunday, September 21. She was the first woman to have been elected as both Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Maine Senate. She served as a legislator from 1990-1998 and as a senator from 2004-2010…
EVENTS: Great Carrying Place
CENTRAL ME — This year commemorates the 250th anniversary of Benedict Arnold’s march through the Maine wilderness in an attempt to capture Québec. To honor this daring journey, the Arnold Expedition Historical Society (AEHS) is offering three guided hikes along a section of the Arnold Trail to Québec, known as the “Great Carrying Place Portage Trail,” retracing the steps of Arnold’s 1,000-man army, on Saturday, August 16; Saturday, September 27; and Saturday, October 18, 2025…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Palermo Legion to host dinner
PALERMO – Malcolm Glidden American Legion Post #163 will hold a public corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, September 20, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Cost of $15 includes dinner and dessert. The post is located at 33 Veterans Way, Palermo. Call Paul Hunter, 993-5049, for more information… and many other local events!
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Robert Joseph Locklin, 77, of Vassalboro, passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Born on October 16, 1947, in Woodsville, New Hampshire, Robert was the eldest son of Robert K. and Rita (Bishop) Locklin…
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: “It’s alive! It’s alive!” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is October 9, 2025.
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Fairfield (new)
FAIRFIELD HISTORY — In the 1770s, the next town north of Winslow on the west bank of the Kennebec River was Fairfield, organized as a plantation in 1774; and on the east bank, the part of Clinton that later became Benton. This article introduces some Revolutionary veterans with Fairfield connections; next week’s article will offer information on more veterans from Fairfield and from Clinton… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Arnold’s expedition
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — Before continuing upriver, this subseries will summarize the one Revolutionary event that did have a direct impact on towns along the Kennebec River. That was the fall 1775 American expedition intended to take Québec City from the British (who had taken it from the French in September 1759)… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution effects Vassalboro & Winslow
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — A 1770s map of Kennebec River towns upriver from Augusta would look quite different from a 2025 map, or even an 1870s map. Currently, Augusta is the only area town with territory on both banks of the river (linked by two bridges). Upriver on the west bank, one goes from Augusta north into Sidney, then Waterville and then Fairfield. On the east bank, the next town north of Augusta is Vassalboro, then Winslow, then Benton… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution effects: Augusta from 1778
CENTRAL ME HISTORY — James North, in his history of Augusta, mentioned only one Hallowell town meeting during the year 1777. There were at least two in 1778, mostly dealing with local finances. The town’s population was about 100 families in those years… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 16, 2025
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: Nancy Marston, So. China
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | I’ve always been interested in folklore. It is intriguing how older generations and cultures came up with them, with most dealing with nature. While sitting around a campfire with friends last Saturday, we heard a cricket chirp in the distance. One of the friends, we’ll call her Martha, groaned at the sound. “What’s the matter?” I asked. Martha responded, “Hearing a cricket means the end of summer.” Interesting!…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | In the last half of the 20th century gardeners typically bought seeds from catalogs and store displays. This convenience separated us from the experience of saving seeds from our own gardens and many of us lack the agricultural knowledge that our ancestors had used for thousands of years. Recently, many people have returned to saving seeds, sharing them with fellow gardeners and even developing their own special varieties of favorite plants…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | Well, in answer to where have I been for the past eight months. I would have to say four of those months I spent helping veterans in Southeast Asia and the other four I have spent here doing the same. This is an annual agenda for me. I can’t say I like the path that Trump cuts have taken as I said, “Trump speed”. By that, I meant I don’t necessarily agree with the rush when it comes to veterans’ benefits and how they are handled…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | To continue from last week – after landing a job at Jordan Marsh’s record department in its Annex, I initially shared an apartment with a woman friend in Somerville, a working class street within easy walking distance of Cambridge’s Central and Harvard Squares. My share of the rent was $70 a month with utilities included and I would give her the cash for the landlord. Arriving in mid-July, I remember it being a ferociously hot summer but the two story building of four apartments was on a very shady street…
QUINN MINUTE
by Rix Quinn | Remember that old saying “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush?” I thought about this yesterday while chewing fried chicken. I don’t know what other birds are worth, but I had to pay for the chicken…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | There are nearly 5,500 new cancer diagnoses every day in the U.S., and many of these are for patients under the age of 50. As cancer cases continue to rise and affect more Americans than ever before, many oncologists are choosing to expand their care teams with specialists around the country…