Week of December 10, 2020
Changes are happening at Fairfield Center’s Victor Grange
Victor Grange has taken on another challenge. Although it is not the first in its 146 years of existence, it is probably one of the most visibly noticeable. As people drive through the Fairfield Center area they will notice that the house next to the Grange has been demolished. The house had been in a state of disrepair for many years and needed to be torn down. After a long battle and lots of negotiations with many parties, this has finally been accomplished… Submitted by Barbara Bailey
Your Local News
Selectmen narrowly vote to sell Lakeview Drive parcel
CHINA — At their Dec. 7 meeting, China selectmen voted 3-2 to sell the land opposite the former Candlewood Camps, on the east side of Lakeview Drive, and directed Town Manager Becky Hapgood to get in touch with a realtor…
Increase seen in town’s waste contract
WINDSOR — The Windsor Selectmen held their meeting on November 10, at 6 p.m. Theresa Haskell, the town manager, advised that the town’s Waste Management contract is up for renewal and there will be an increase…
Light up the Season 2020
VASSALBORO — Here is a map of local sites participating in Vassalboro’s Light up the Season 2020 event…
Interactive nativity scene at St. Bridget
VASSALBORO — The St. Bridget Community Center, in North Vassalboro, has created an outdoor display of which people can become a part. The faces of the shepherds, angel and kings have been cut out so that individuals can take their picture(s)…
$2 a bag book sale in Vassalboro
VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Public Library will hold a $2 Holiday Book Sale for the entire month of December. There will be a great selection of books, media, and puzzles: fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books…
Vassalboro JMG selling wreaths
VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Community School Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program will be doing their annual Christmas wreath sale, starting right now until the week after Thanksgiving. They will still be taking orders when they get back from Thanksgiving break…
Popular St. Michael School Christmas Fair goes virtual in 2020
AUGUSTA — Through December 21, all are encouraged to check gifts off their Christmas shopping list by visiting the St. Michael School Christmas Fair, being presented virtually due to the pandemic…
Vassalboro seeks oldest resident
VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Historical Society is searching for the oldest resident of Vassalboro. Our most recent recipient of the honorary Boston Post Gold Cane, Louise Charlotte Seehagen Eastman, passed away on January 28, 2020, at age 101…
Making spirits bright
CHINA — In years past, Erskine Academy, in South China, has held an annual “Wish List Drive” for the Home for Little Wanderers, in Waterville…
Solstice project reaches out to Waterville students & families
WATERVILLE — The Winter Solstice Luminary Project will expand and amplify the Art Kits for All program across Waterville – literally lighting up the city by providing luminary kits to approximately 1,600 students enrolled in the Waterville public schools…
Vassalboro sestercentennial calendars available
VASSALBORO — In preparation for Vassalboro’s Sestercentennial (250 years) celebration next year, Donald Breton, Vassalboro resident, has created a calendar that contains 47 copies of postcards from Vassalboro’s past. The cover and reverse side of the calendar contain a map of Vassalboro from 1879…
The Remembrance Tree
Help us decorate the tree and at the same time remember a loved one. For only $5 you can commemorate a loved one who has passed…
The Town Line only weekly newspaper in central Maine
The first issue of The Town Line was published on March 15, 1989. The brain child of Gary and Trish Newcomb, of China, the newspaper’s goal was to bring neighbors and their respective towns closer together through better communications… by Roland D. Hallee
Maine Supreme Court Chief Justices from Kennebec Valley – Part 1 (New)
MAINE HISTORY — Of the 26 chief justices of the Maine Supreme Court, Augusta has provided six – perhaps not surprising for the state capital. Portland is second, with five chief justices including Leigh Saufly, who was appointed Dec. 6, 2001, and retired April 14, 2020… by Mary Grow [1616 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Newspapers of Central Maine – Conclusion
MAINE HISTORY — Several of the small towns in the central Kennebec Valley have had local newspapers, and one – China – still does as of 2020. This writer has found no record of a newspaper published in Sidney, Winslow, Benton, Palermo or Windsor… by Mary Grow [1473 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Newspapers of Central Maine, Part 1
MAINE HISTORY — In previous pieces there have been references to local newspapers, especially the Augusta-based Kennebec Journal. Both it and its sister publication in Waterville, the “Morning Sentinel”, have had long lives; but they are not and never have been the only newspapers in the central Kennebec Valley… by Mary Grow [1957 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Notable women
MAINE HISTORY — As background for this piece on a small selection of women of importance from the central Kennebec Valley, some historical notes might establish a useful timeline… by Mary Grow [1825 words]
2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE and WINDSOR…
Obituaries
PALERMO – Royce B. Nelson, 87, of North Palermo Road, passed away on Friday, December 4, 2020, at Maine Veterans Home, in Augusta, after suffering a stroke. Born in Palermo on April 6, 1933, he was the son of Jasper Nelson and Edith Nelson and the oldest of four children… and remembering 11 others.
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, December 18, 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: Ardra Poulin, Winslow.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Every once in a while, the conversation comes up about Canada lynx in Maine. Are they present in the state, where can they be found, are they dangerous? The questions are many…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | The above anthology featured selections from the Columbia/Epic Special Products catalog of artists. It was one of dozens of such Christmas anthologies released during the decades of LP availability and these records were usually priced at $1 under the auspices of Goodyear’s, B.F. Goodrich, Grant’s or other outlets…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Okay, so the holiday season of 2020 has begun. It is sure to have some differences for just about everyone. I hope you all had a great turkey day, enjoying good food and loving family and friends…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | Have been going through all my old stash of memories of days gone by and decided to write some of the funny things I have written about to give you a good laugh in these troubling times…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) — Diabetes is not just an adult disease. It’s one of the most common chronic conditions affecting children and teens in the United States. Today, it affects about 193,000 youth under 20 years of age and rates of newly diagnosed cases in young people are increasing…