Issue for September 19, 2024
Vassalboro community programs reach all ages
Karen Hatch had a busy summer and this fall is shaping up to be the same way. The 70-year-old, from China, is the Vassalboro Community Program Director, and as such she plans, coordinates and oversees activities for all ages, including youth sports. This winter it will be basketball and then baseball and softball come spring,” Hatch explained. “All of that is made possible by the volunteer youth athletic commissioners…. by Dale Potter-Clark
Town News
Transfer station committee discusses relations with Palermo
CHINA – Relations between China and Palermo were a major topic discussed, in a friendly way, at the Sept. 10 China Transfer Station Committee meeting. Only one of Palermo’s two committee members, Bob Kurek, was present…
Novel Energy granted one-year extension on project
CHINA – China Planning Board members approved one request at their Sept. 10 meeting and postponed action on another, probably to Sept. 24…
School board updated on final summer renovations, other building related projects
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro Community School’s new staff for 2024-25 include two people with experience in Alaska, Superintendent Alan Pfeiffer said. One of them spoke with school board members at their Sept. 10 meeting…
OPINION: Town elder concerned about seniors in China
from Sheldon Goodine (CHINA) – We cannot let this happen in the China area. Maine folks are tough and try to go with the flow as long as possible, then it may be too late to solve the problem…
Conservation district seeks nominations for board of supervisors
ROCKPORT – Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District has one opening on its five-member Board of Supervisors. The volunteer board, which is responsible for guiding the District’s business affairs and operations in it’s mission to provide assistance to the community in conservation of land and water resources, is comprised of three elected and two appointed supervisors, who each serve overlapping three-year terms…
New survey shows Maine residents, regardless of age, don’t see aging as a personal barrier
CENTRAL ME – Despite believing older adults are devalued in society, Maine adults of all ages don’t see aging as a barrier, according to new AARP research examining how aging is viewed in the state…
TEAM PHOTO: Waterville football grades 3 – 4
WATERVILLE – Team photo by Missy Brown, Central Maine Photography…
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: “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is October 10, 2024.
Webber’s Pond comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)…
Local happenings
EVENTS: Apple desserts and ham public supper in Vassalboro
VASSALBORO — Baked ham and apple desserts of all kinds will be served in addition to the traditional baked beans, casseroles, salads and breads on Saturday, September 21, at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC)…
EVENTS: Vassalboro events for October
VASSALBORO — On Saturday, October 19, a Harvest Supper will be held at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) fellowship hall, at 614 Main Street/Rte. 32…
EVENTS: Hazardous waste collection days scheduled
CENTRAL ME – The Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, based in Fairfield, plans to host Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in October in Kennebec and Somerset counties…
EVENTS: Announcing annual wildflower seed fundraiser
ROCKPORT – Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District has announced their autumn fundraiser – native wildflower seeds. October is the perfect month to sow wildflower seeds for spring growth…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: China Historical Society meeting
CHINA – The China Historical Society will be holding its next regular meeting at the Weeks Mills School, at 6 p.m., on Thursday evening, September 19. This gathering will be open and welcoming to all members of the public from China and elsewhere. It will also serve as a lead-in to our planned program on the WW&F Narrow Gauge Railroad set for Thursday, October 10… and many other local events!
Obituaries
CLINTON – Russell S. Bickford, Jr., 76, passed away following a short illness on Friday, September 6, 2024. Russell was born on December 2, 1947, in Waterville, son of Russell S. Bickford Sr. and Laura (Downing) Bickford…
Around the Kennebec Valley: A history of Ford’s Corner, Part II (new)
PALERMO HISTORY — In Part 1, we explored the lives of three key families at Ford’s Corner around the turn of the 20th century: Frank & Addie Wood, Daniel & Nettie Batchelder, and Leander & Alice Bowler, all active members of the church at the corner of Chisholm Pond Road and Arnold Lane. Part 2 will explore the history of that church building and what Ford’s Corner is today… by Andy Pottle
Around the Kennebec Valley: A history of Ford’s Corner, Part I
PALERMO HISTORY — In North Palermo, where Arnold Lane and Chisholm Pond Road meet, the North Palermo Road just before Wilder Young Hill goes down into Freedom, is a place once known as Ford’s Corner. You wouldn’t know it today, but over a century ago this quiet corner was the center of a bustling community in North Palermo… by Andy Pottle
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Early Sidney Settlers
SIDNEY HISTORY — Researching former Sidney residents on line, your writer has repeatedly come across a colorful small book entitled Early Sidney, by Chloe B., with a photo of the historic Levi Powers house on the front… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Lovejoys & Marshes
SIDNEY HISTORY — Previous articles in this series have mentioned two other early Sidney families who intermarried with Bacons and Faughts, the Lovejoys and Marshes. This article will provide more information about both… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 17, 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: Shirley Kinney, Augusta
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | While driving to work on the Cross Hill Road, in Vassalboro, one morning last week, I saw a black squirrel. This caused me to remember an email I received a little while back from a reader who said, “I have red, black gray and a new one – dark gray with a brown belly – what is this one? How many litters can they have? I am almost overrun with them all”…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | One of the very first classical records to give pleasure to me during seventh grade was a 12-inch 78 (Columbia Masterworks 12437) of the Second Hungarian Rhapsody, by Franz Liszt (1811-1886), as performed by Eugene Ormandy (1899-1985) with the Phildelphia Orchestra and recorded April 18, 1946…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | Welcome spring and create continuous color for several months with a collection of spring-flowering bulbs. After planting in the fall, you’ll enjoy an array of flower colors that combine nicely with other spring-flowering trees, shrubs, and flowers…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | While more than 1.1 million Americans lost their lives due to COVID-19, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, emerging HVAC technology is now available to protect homes from the next pandemic…