Open letter to our readers

The Town Line Board of Directors, from left to right, Joann Austin, president, Dan L’Heureux, Neil Farrington, Eric Austin, and Emily Cates, treasurer (absent from photo: Gillian Lalime).

Dear readers and supporters of The Town Line:

At The Town Line, we aren’t just reporting news—we’re telling the stories that shape our community. Written by locals, for locals, our paper reflects the heart and soul of central Maine. We exist because of you, our readers and local businesses, and we believe that when our community thrives, so does The Town Line.

But times are tough for local newspapers. In fact, since 2005, one-quarter of U.S. newspapers have shut down, and experts predict that a third will be gone by 2025. Local papers like The Town Line—dedicated to covering the unique issues in our rural towns—are feeling this strain the hardest.

Despite these challenges, we remain committed to unbiased, grassroots reporting, keeping the voices and stories of central Maine alive. But we need your help to continue this vital work. While big tech companies have made it harder for small publications like ours to survive, we know that with community support, we can continue to tell the stories that matter most to you.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Become a member. For just $25 a year, you’ll get exclusive mailings and updates. Plus, your membership helps ensure that we can continue serving our community year after year.
• Support local advertising. Encourage local businesses to advertise with us. When they do, their dollars stay local, supporting both their business and The Town Line. Don’t forget to mention you saw their ad in our paper—it helps prove their investment is making an impact.
• Spread the word on social media & the web. Visit our website at townline.org. Like, share, and follow us at Facebook.com/townline.org. Help us reach more people in central Maine by amplifying our stories.
• Make a donation. Every dollar, no matter the size, helps us continue providing high-quality local journalism. As a nonprofit, your contributions are tax-deductible.

These are challenging times, but together, we can ensure that The Town Line continues to thrive as the voice of central Maine. With your support, we’ll keep connecting our rural towns, fostering community dialogue, and shining a light on the stories that matter.

Join us in our mission to preserve local journalism and build a stronger future for our community. Become a member today, and let’s keep central Maine’s stories alive.

Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Warmly,

The Town Line Board of Directors:
Joann Austin, president; Eric Austin, secretary; Emily Cates, treasurer; Neil Farrington, Dan L’Heureux, Steve Ball and Jeanne Marquis.

Donate securely online here or mail your check to:

The Town Line newspaper
PO Box 89
South China, ME 04358