Week of April 16, 2020
Charlie Matthews honored for 55 years in scouting
The Kennebec Valley District of Scouting honors Charlie Matthews, of Fairfield, for celebrating 55 years in the Scouting program. Charlie would have received a 55-year veteran service pin at the annual Scout Leader Recognition dinner this month but it was put on hold in response to Covid-19. “Charlie Mathews has been a steadfast stalwart Scouter,” said Kennebec Valley District Chairman Butch Dawbin…
Your Local News
Budget committee and school board members come to three conclusions
VASSALBORO — Two Vassalboro Budget Committee meetings April 7 and 9 plus an April 7 school board meeting led to three conclusions. The first was that nobody had final figures for a 2020-21 school budget…
China selectmen reschedule town meeting to June 6
CHINA — China selectmen made three major decisions at their April 13 virtual meeting. All were by unanimous vote of the four board members participating; Irene Belanger was absent…
Water works planned for downtown Waterville
WATERVILLE — Kennebec Water District (KWD) is scheduled to begin updates of the existing water main infrastructure in downtown Waterville in partnership with the City of Waterville’s upcoming Downtown Revitalization Project…
Gov. Mills reschedules primary to July 14
CENTRAL ME — As Maine implements strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Governor Janet Mills today signed an Executive Order moving Maine’s primary election from Tuesday, June 9, 2020, to Tuesday, July 14, 2020…
China Region Lakes Alliance delays summer employment process
CHINA — With all the uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic, the China Region Lakes Alliance (CRLA) announces a delay in advertising for summer employment opportunities. The lake stewardship organization traditionally hires seasonal members of its Youth Conservation Corps and Courtesy Boat Inspector team…
North Pond Watershed Protection plan phase one a success
SMITHFIELD — The North Pond Association, in partnership with the Seven Lakes Alliance, received a 319 Grant awarded in the fall of 2018 for $80,000. This grant money along with matching funds was to be used in 2018 and 2019 to implement projects initially recommended in the North Pond Watershed-Based Protection Plan…
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Please help support your local restaurants!
During these unusual times, local restaurants are closed for dine-in services. However, many of them are open, offering take-out, drive-up or delivery services. PURCHASING ONE MEAL A WEEK FROM YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT WILL HELP IN THEIR BEING ABLE TO SURVIVE DURING THIS CRISIS!
Local church adapts with lakeside, car side Easter service
CHINA — It was a beautiful brisk morning overlooking China Lake. The lake was calm reflecting the homes along its shores as the cars filled the parking lot at the head of the lake. To an outside observer, it might have looked like a typical Sunday…
Global school play day at RSU #18
CENTRAL ME — Global School Play Day was celebrated all over RSU #18 this year! Atwood Elementary School, Williams Elementary School, and CPS joined in on February 5, while Belgrade Community School and James H. Bean Elementary School scheduled their play days for the Monday and Tuesday of the following week…
New food pantry opens in Winslow
WINSLOW — A new food pantry, Winslow Community Cupboard, is launching operations at Winslow Congregational Church, 12 Lithgow Street, Winslow, to assist those struggling with food-insecurity during these extremely difficult times, and beyond…
Alfond Youth and Community Center to provide weekend meals
WATERVILLE — The Alfond Youth and Community Center, in Waterville, is still serving free meals and snacks at six locations throughout the community every Monday through Friday, with weekend backpacks available every Thursday and Friday at the AYCC location…
Inland Hospital workers receive surprise welcome
WATERVILLE — It was an amazing ride into work for all of us at Inland and Lakewood today – what a heartwarming gesture! Thank you to Waterville’s police, fire and rescue departments, and the many other departments from around the region who lined our campus to honor healthcare workers…
Sheridan Corp. announces three promotions
FAIRFIELD — Sheridan Construction is pleased to announce three promotions of key personnel at Sheridan Construction’s corporate office located in Fairfield…
Celebrating Maine history
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Fairfield (New!)
CENTRAL ME — Fairfield, the southernmost town in Somerset County, differs from Augusta, Vassalboro/Sidney, and Winslow/Waterville in being surveyed and settled only on the west bank of the Kennebec… [1442 words] by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Waterville – Sidney
CENTRAL ME — As previously described, what is now the Town of Sidney, on the west bank of the Kennebec River north of Augusta, began as the western half of Vassalborough, now a separate town on the east bank of the river… [1553 words] by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Winslow, Benton, Clinton
CENTRAL ME — Winslow is the next town north of Vassalboro along the east shore of the Kennebec River. According to Henry Kingsbury’s History of Kennebec County, its location was determined by the junction of the Kennebec with the smaller Sebasticook River… [1385 words] by Mary Grow
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Augusta & Vassalboro
CENTRAL ME — What is now, and has been for 200 years, the State of Maine, was first explored and settled by Europeans by way of the Atlantic Ocean, and ocean transportation has been important in its history and economy ever since… [1288 words] by Mary Grow
The Kennebec Indian tribe
CENTRAL ME — The Kennebec tribe, also known as Norridgewock and Kennebis, was an early Abenaki band who lived in the Kennebec Valley of Maine. Their name comes from the Kennebec River, which was named after the bay it emptied into — kinipek meaning “bay” in the Abenaki language… [385 words]
A look at what Maine was like before it became a state
In March 15, 1820, Maine became the 23rd state of the United States. Last Sunday, was Maine’s 200th anniversary of admission to the union. There is no definitive explanation for the origin of the name “Maine,” but the most likely origin is that the name was given by early explorers after the former province of Maine, in France… [2557 words] by Roland D. Hallee
How, and why, Maine became a state
Before Maine became a state in 1820 it was the District of Maine, a territory of Massachusetts. The movement to separate from Massachusetts predates the American Revolution but, during the revolution, separatists put aside their grievances to support the war effort. With independence won, the question of separation reemerged… [871 words] by Tom Waddell
Local Town Meetings Schedule 2020
Local town meetings schedule for 2020 for Albion, China, Fairfield, Vassalboro and Solon. To add your town to this list, email us at townline@townline.org…
Obituaries
MADISON – Diane M. Godin, 58, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at her home following a brief illness. Diane was born on February 17, 1962, the daughter of Richard P. Plourde and Vergie E. (Norwood) Plourde, their third child of five… and remembering 8 others.
Common Ground – Round 16: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, May 8, 2020
Identify the “people” in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common. You could win a $10 gift certificate to Retail Therapy Boutique in Waterville! 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: Dave Carew, Waterville; and Judith Dennett, Augusta
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | One of the more common sights around a barnyard is the good ol’ rooster. But, why is he there? My granddaughter and her husband live in Belgrade on about seven acres of land that they have kind of turned into a mini farm. They have pigs, goats, and chickens. A little while back, they acquired a rooster…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters | We all know that April showers bring May flowers, but for wildlife rehabbers, April also brings desperate calls from well-meaning citizens who are concerned about young animals that appear to be alone. I’m sharing another post written by Carleen Cote regarding the issue of whether to rescue or not…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | Delighting your customers is the surefire way to make your company successful. No matter what your company is, no matter what your services or products are, your job is to delight your customers. If you are serious, truly serious about your company being outstanding then you have to deliver outstanding services…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Baritone Frank Stanley (1868-1910), who died of pleurisy at the age of 41, duetted with tenor Harry Macdonough (1871-1931) on the hymn, O Morning Land. Both men recorded a number of sides during the acoustic years…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Whether threats to our security are real or perceived they impact our mental and physical well-being. Fear can interrupt processes in our brains that allow us to regulate emotions. It impacts thinking and decision making in negative ways, leaving us susceptible to strong emotions and impulsive reactions…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | My many, many thanks for the Solon School news, I didn’t think I would be getting any more of them for quite awhile. RSU #74 Schools deal with Coronavirus pandemic: Due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through the state and nation, Solon Elementary School and the other schools of RSU #74 closed on March 16…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) — The 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 can be a good time for everyone to take some time to get outside, even if current conditions mean a community event to celebrate isn’t available. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to honor the Earth in your own backyard…