Issue for September 5, 2024
Window Dressers create affordable window inserts
Our nights becoming chilly is a reminder to begin preparing for winter. One of the first places to focus on is your windows. While replacement energy efficient windows might not fit into your budget, insulating window inserts are affordable and assembling them with others can be enjoyable…. by Roberta Barnes
Town News
Vassalboro stanchions a state experiment
VASSALBORO – Until Nov. 1, East Vassalboro Village will be the site of an experiment aimed at slowing traffic. Aware that it could also make roads impassable for large farm equipment, town officials have provided what they hope will be a remedy…
Lengthy discussion on police presence in town
WINDSOR – One of the major topics at the August 13 meeting of the Windsor Select Board was the presence, or lack thereof, of state police in town…
LETTERS: Let’s send Mike Ray to the Maine House
from Bart Carhart (Lincolnville)– With the summer vacation season coming to a close and schools about to start, voters will begin to focus on the November 5th general election…
LETTERS: Urge support of Brown
from Evelyn deFrees & Brad LaRoche (Searsmont) – We urge residents of Waldo County to support Elise Brown for County Commissioner in November. We have known Elise for many years, counting her as a friend as we all raised our children sharing hand-me-downs, garden produce and school information…
Vassalboro school supplies drive another success
VASSALBORO – The 6th annual School Supplies Drive By Drop Off, held on August 24, to support the children who attend the Vassalboro Community School, was another huge success…
LCHA’s preservation party to celebrate local heritage
DRESDEN – Lincoln County can be justly proud of the people who have contributed to the rich and colorful history of this region. Evidence of this pride can be found in local historical societies like Lincoln County Historical Association (LCHA), whose members are passionate about maintaining important buildings and educating the public about our unique heritage…
National Night Out Festival draws large turnout to South End
WATERVILLE – On August 6, 2024, The South End Neighborhood Association (SENA) held its 18th Annual South End National Night Out Festival…
Whatever happened to Linda, Gloria, George or Peter?
WATERVILLE – Olivia and Liam are once again America’s most popular baby names, with 2023 being the fifth consecutive year that parents have chosen the monikers for their little ones. Also for the fifth consecutive year, Noah took the second slot for boys, and Emma for girls…
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: “Be the ball, Danny.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is September 5, 2024.
Webber’s Pond comic
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by a local central Maine resident (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)…
Palermo Consolidated School receives American Heart Association grant for health resources
PALERMO — For the second year in a row, the American Heart Association’s school-based youth programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, has awarded Palermo Consolidated School a grant to support health resources…
Chelsea student earns degree from Cedarville Univ.
CHELSEA — Rebecca Riley, from Chelsea, earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio.
Jessica Fisher named to Hartwick College’s dean’s list
CHINA — Jessica Fisher, of China, was named to Hartwick College’s Spring 2024 dean’s list, in Oneonta, New York. Fisher, is pursuing a major in psychology and sociology, with a minor in social work.
Samantha Barrett set to enter Kutztown University
OAKLAND — Samantha Barret, of Oakland, will enter Kutztown University, in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in the fall as the newest member of the Golden Bear family. The fall semester began Monday, August 26, 2024.
Local happenings
EVENTS: Vassalboro Days: Weekend Event Happenings
VASSALBORO – Here’s an up-to-date schedule of events for Vassalboro Days celebrations!…
EVENTS: Vassalboro Days Sunday at the Methodist Church
VASSALBORO – The Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) is holding a special worship service during Vassalboro Days, on Sunday, September 8, at 10 a.m. when the history of their church will be shared…
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Public supper in Freedom
FREEDOM – There will be a public supper on Saturday, September 7, from 4:30 – 6 p.m., at the Freedom Congregational Church. The menu includes ham, mashed potato, gravy, baked beans, vegetable, dinner rolls, punch, coffee and assorted homemade desserts… and many other local events!
Obituaries
SOUTH CHINA – John Clifford Gardner, 77, of South China, peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024. He was born in Rockland, to Clifford and Blanche Gardner…
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
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Sidney early settlers: the Faught family
SIDNEY HISTORY — The Faughts were another early Sidney family. The first Faught your writer came across was Marlborough Packard Faught, a name that sounded refreshingly unusual; but she soon found that the Faughts, like the Bacons, enjoyed repeating more common names – Frederick, Jacob, Samuel – through generations… by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley – Bacon families: Sidney early settlers
SIDNEY HISTORY — Among early settlers in Sidney against whose lives your writer brushed while trying unsuccessfully to learn why someone chose to name the town after a long-dead Englishman were the Bacon, Faught, Lovejoy, Marsh and Snow families… by Mary Grow
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 12, 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: Tracie Kelley, Palmyra
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Recently, at camp, a friend showed me photos of a mushroom – an unusual mushroom – she had seen on the grounds. The mushroom had a blue hue and was seen in a wet area. So, it was research time…
THE BEST VIEW
by Norma Best Boucher | “Shhh! Can you keep a secret?” I look first to my left and then to my right. “Well, can you?” Here goes. I read other people’s mail. That’s right. I read other people’s mail…
SMALL SPACE GARDENING
by Melinda Myers | No matter where you garden there never seems to be enough time to grow and enjoy all your favorite vegetables. Start preparing now to extend your growing season and continue enjoying garden fresh vegetables even after the first frost…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Bizet’s opera Carmen was considered one worthy of meticulous study for aspiring conductors by the perfectionist Maestro George Szell (1897-1970) who held dictatorial Music Directorship of the Cleveland Orchestra from 1946 until his death from bone cancer…
VETERANS CORNER
by Gary Kennedy | There are approximately 18.5 million veterans and only six percent have received V.A. Disability benefits. There are millions of benefits waiting to be spoken for. Every week that I write this column I should be heading for a conclusion but suredly such is not the case. Just this week I met three veterans who didn’t know the true story behind the existence of the Veterans Administration…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
HEALTH | For more than half of her life, 43-year-old Megan Bettor dealt with bouts of excruciating low back pain. She doesn’t remember a specific accident or injury that caused the initial pain – all she knows is that it was a constant part of her life…