Issue for September 25, 2025
Libby Mitchell featured speaker at Vassalboro Historical Society
Former state legislator, current Kennebec County Judge of Probate, and, she hopes, always community supporter Elizabeth “Libby” Mitchell was guest speaker at the Vassalboro Historical Society on Sept. 21. Her informal talk, blending biography, local history, serious lessons and humorous anecdotes, brought applause and laughter from audience members, most of them friends of long standing… by Mary Grow
Town News
Sanitary district needs board members, or else…
VASSALBORO – Unless more people immediately volunteer to serve as Vassalboro Sanitary District (VSD) trustees, bad things are likely to happen, select board members learned at their Sept. 18 meeting…
Select board worried about future ambulance service
CHINA – China select board members worried aloud about the future of ambulance service in the town, and groused about the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), during their Sept. 22 meeting…
Trees top cemetery committee’s meeting
VASSALBORO – Vassalboro Cemetery Committee members spent three-fourths of their hour-long Sept. 15 meeting discussing trees in cemeteries, again, with half a dozen interested residents…
Delta Ambulance: No one has enough resources
CHINA – “No one has enough resources.” That was Delta Ambulance Executive Director Chris Mitchell’s summary toward the end of a Sept. 17 discussion with representatives of emergency services and local governments from towns Delta serves. The meeting was the first of two hosted by the Town of China; the second was Sept. 23…
TEAM PHOTO: Winslow U-9 travel soccer
WINSLOW – Team photo for Winslow U-9 travel soccer by Missy Brown of Central Maine Photography…
LETTERS: Brings back good memories
from Hannah Mars (China summer resident) – On Friday, August 22, 2025 there was a crash at Bangor International Airport. When I was about to pick up my dad and friends from the airport, my mom called. She said there was a plane crash outside of the fence and there was one fatality…
Haberstock named to Hamilton College dean’s list
WATERVILLE — Charles Haberstock, of Waterville, has been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College for the spring 2025 semester, in Clinton, New York.
Margaret Martin awarded degree from UA
VASSALBORO — Margaret Martin, of Vassalboro, has received a degree in Master of Arts, from The University of Alabama, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, during its summer commencement ceremonies.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Erskine Academy Parent/Teacher Conferences slated
CHINA — Parents and guardians of Erskine Academy students are warmly invited to attend Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 8, and Thursday, October 9, from 3:00–7:00 p.m…
EVENTS: Ticonic Bridge closure
WINSLOW — Beginning Monday, September 29, at midnight, through November 1, at 6 a.m., the project will be closing the Ticonic Bridge to all traffic for construction activities requiring access to the entire bridge. During this time, pedestrians will not be allowed to transit the bridge. Both pedestrians and vehicles will be required to follow the posted detour routes…
EVENTS: Veterans Memorial dedication ceremony planned for Oct. 4
SOMERVILLE — Beginning Monday, September 29, at midnight, through November 1, at 6 a.m., the project will be closing the Ticonic Bridge to all traffic for construction activities requiring access to the entire bridge. During this time, pedestrians will not be allowed to transit the bridge. Both pedestrians and vehicles will be required to follow the posted detour routes…
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…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: All Vassalboro school reunion planned
VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro Historical Society is hosting an all Vassalboro School Reunion, on Sunday, September 28, from 1 – 4 p.m., at the Society, at 327 Main Street, East Vassalboro… and many other local events!
Obituaries
BENTON – James G. Seamans, 72, of Benton, died Thursday, September 11, 2025, at his home following a long illness. He was born April 22, 1953, in Dover Foxcroft, son of Earl and Edna Seamans. James grew up in Athens…
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 – Continued (new)
FAIRFIELD HISTORY — This article will continue the story of Fairfield men who fought in the Revolutionary War, beginning – after a digression – with one important man mentioned last week, William Kendall… by Mary Grow
Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Revolution affects Fairfield
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
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 | Well, we’re coming up on the middle of October, and time to take a look at what Mother Nature has provided to us in regards to a preview of the upcoming winter. Brrrr! Dread the thought!…
MAINE-LY GARDENING
by Jude Hsiang | Many of us are coming to the end of the active gardening season. While some have a greenhouse, it may be small and not heated. Perhaps you’ve already had a light frost – or a heavier one – and are beginning to clean up the plants that have been affected. For others, it won’t be long until it’s time to “put the garden to bed”…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | I have been really challenged by the 90 percent dilemma that many veterans are battling with. When you climb the ladder of percentages, for some reason things become stagnant at 90 percent. It really seems like a position that a veteran doesn’t really want to deal with and most don’t understand it…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Living in the Cambridge suburb of Somerville, I quickly discovered how much easier it was to walk a mile without noticing it on city streets than in the countryside of East Vassalboro. And I quickly discovered the joys and ease of walking to Harvard Square, from 23 Wyatt Street, in Somerville…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | As the seasons begin to shift, many people start thinking about their annual health routines – including vaccinations. While some consider a flu shot part of their yearly care, others may feel it’s still too early to think about it. But health experts agree that getting a flu shot every year is the best way to help protect yourself and your family from getting the disease…