Week of February 18, 2021
South China’s Fieldstone Quickstop under new ownership
Maritime Energy buys convenience store from long-time owner Thad Barber
The Fieldstone Quickstop in South China, at the intersection of Routes 32 and 3, located at 190 Route 3, has recently been sold to Maritime Energy. Thadius Barber, a resident of China for all but four of his 48 years, purchased the establishment from Mike Rocque in 2004. It was just the right time for a sale, he explained in an email…
Your Local News
Broadband committee reviews three bids for expanded service
CHINA — Members of China’s Broadband Committee (CBC) displayed impressive technological understanding as they reviewed summaries of three bids for expanded and improved broadband service in town at their Feb. 11 meeting…
Planners defer to next meeting
CHINA — Three China Planning Board members at the Feb. 9 board meeting spent another hour discussing a proposed solar ordinance and whether additional language about shoreland stabilization should be added to town regulations…
Discussions continue over retirement benefits
WINDSOR — During the February 2, meeting the selectmen discussed the retirement match for town employees. A discussion took place over whether to increase the retirement match benefit by percent over the term of the employees tenure…
Listing of local town meetings
CENTRAL ME — Listing of local town meetings in central Maine. To have your town listed, please email us at townline@townline.org…
China neighborhood donates to school
CHINA — In an effort to enrich and support their local community, the Greater Neck Road Neighborhood Association recently donated to the China Middle School’s new shower facilities in the athletic locker room…
China Four Seasons Club ice fishing derby enjoyed by many (photos)
CHINA — The China Four Seasons Club and The China Village Fire Department held their 2nd annual China Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Sunday, February 14. The event was well attended with the entire group spread out over China Lake, where the fishing for the derby was limited… by Sandra Isaac
China Four Seasons Club fishing derby winners
CHINA — List of winners for the China fishing derby…
PHOTO: Six-time winner
CHINA — Chase Lawler, 9, of Oakland, took first place in the Oakland Recreation Department Ice Fishing Frenzy on February 14. It marked the sixth consecutive year he won that honor…
VBA scholarship applications available
VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Business Association’s Scholarship applications are now available. They should be in local high school’s guidance offices or they can be emailed or mailed to you directly by calling or texting 207-631-3303 with your address. They are due April 15…
MaineGeneral Health opens new practice
CENTRAL ME — MaineGeneral Health has announced the opening of a new medical practice, MaineGeneral Addiction Medicine on Feb. 1, 2021…
Polar Bear Dip challenge takes new twist
WATERVILLE — As top earner for the Annual Polar Bear Dip for the past six years in a row, Tony Tuell and his team of Silver Streen Tavern heroes have raised over $35,000 to help the AYCC provide meals to kids and families experiencing food insecurity….
Waterville Creates celebrates Black History Month by highlighting Maine author
WATERVILLE — In honor of Black History Month, Waterville Creates, together with the Colby College Museum of Art, Kennebec Montessori School, Waterville Public Schools and the Family Violence Project, has created a special Art Kit for All to celebrate the artwork and legacy of Maine artist, Ashley Bryan…
Thurston Park in the winter
CHINA — Thurston Park is open in the winter! All trails are open and accessible by foot or snowmobile. The park is opendawn to dusk, seven days a week. The Yorktown Road is plowed to the top of the hill by the town of Albion…
PHOTO: Scouts receive patches
CENTRAL ME — Recently, Augusta Scout Troop #603 received commemorative “Four Camps Challenge” patches from Pine Tree Council for having adventures at all four camps…
PHOTO: Winter wonderland?
WINSLOW — Recently, Augusta Scout Troop #603 received commemorative “Four Camps Challenge” patches from Pine Tree Council for having adventures at all four camps…
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings, Augusta Part 7 (New)
AUGUSTA HISTORY — The east (river) side of Augusta’s Water Street has another individually-listed 19th-century historic building besides those described in The Town Line articles published Feb. 4 and Feb. 11. The 1899 five-story brick building at 325-331 Water Street was first known as the Gannett Building, later as the “Journal” Building and now as the University of Maine at Augusta’s (UMA’s) Handley Hall… by Mary Grow [1848 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings, Augusta Part 6
AUGUSTA HISTORY — Last week’s exploration of Augusta’s Water Street Historic District talked about the designated historic buildings on the northern half of the east (river) side of the street. This article will continue south along the river… by Mary Grow [1635 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings, Augusta Part 5
AUGUSTA HISTORY — The City of Augusta’s list of designated historic places includes four districts. The Water Street district, supplemented by recognition of individual buildings, covers a good part of the main business street that parallels the Kennebec River on the west bank… by Mary Grow [1580 words]
Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Historic listings – Winslow
AUGUSTA HISTORY — The final place along the central Kennebec River that is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark is Fort Halifax, in Winslow. It was built in 1754, the same year as Fort Western, in Augusta, and for the same purpose, to protect British interests against Natives and against the French in Canada… by Mary Grow [1811 words]
LETTERS: Like rats jumping from a sinking ship
from 
Frank Slason (Somerville) — Now, the reason for this letter. I never thought I would live to see the day that big tech could censor the president of these United States. There goes another of our liberties down the drain…
LETTERS: Sports group seeks volunteers
from Todd Dunn, President, China Rec Youth Sports — I am scheduling our elections to take place on Sunday, February 28, at Jorgensen’s Cafe. 103 Main Street, in Waterville, at 5:30 p.m. There is plenty of room there and everyone can remain distanced and safe…
LETTERS: High or low?
from Russell Vesecky (Waterville) — Complex or simple, Mother Nature has purpose for all her creatures. Viruses are not new. In the 18th century Louis Pasteur announced to his colleagues “There is something submicroscopic that is causing diseases”…
Webber’s Pond
Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident…
Obituaries
VASSALBORO – Carmen L. Giroux, 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at MaineGeneral Medical Center. She was born on June 5, 1944, the day prior to D-Day, a daughter of the late Phillip and Sadie Morneau (Bolduc). She was one of nine children… and remembering 5 others.
2020-’21 Real Estate Tax Due Dates
Real Estate tax due dates for the following towns: CHINA, VASSALBORO, WATERVILLE and WINDSOR…
Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, March 5, 2021
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: Donald Eldridge, South China.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | The ladybug is immortalized in the still-popular children’s nursery rhyme. They have been, for very many years, a favorite insect of children. But what about these little bugs that appear in our houses at certain times of the year?…
MAINE MEMORIES
by Evangeline T. | In a small bicycle shop at the end of the mall, tucked away in a dark corner, was a very sad bike named Blue. He had white tires and a very comfortable seat and couldn’t understand why some parent hadn’t bought him for their child. After all, his design made him suitable for either a boy or a girl, so what was the problem?…
CRITTER CHATTER
by Jayne Winters| You might think that winter is a respite for Don Cote and the three “regular” volunteers at the wildlife center. While it’s true they don’t have admissions of new-born animals, the months after fall releases and before springtime births are hardly quiet…
POETRY CORNER
by Marilou Suchar | Early snow is shining bright
It almost glows with inner light
It sparkles like a wedding gown
But that’s when winter comes to town.
I love dirty snow!…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | Did you know that it cost 12 times more to get a new customer than it does to keep one? Here’s a story I came across the other day. This man died and met with Saint Peter. To his surprise the first saint told him that it was his lucky day, he was going to get to choose whether he wanted to go to heaven or the other place…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Singer Rudy Vallee (1901-1986) was one of the first matinee idol crooners, starting in the late ‘20s. Frantic mobs of teenage girls went berserk at his live appearances as they did later with Sinatra, Presley and the Beatles…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | I believe I had just a few too many minutes to think today. That happens sometimes. All I had was a little bit of driving time today but that is all I needed. I hope you will once again, bear with my opinions. Remember please, these are my opinions, not those of The Town Line…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | How time flies! Here it is already February 15, as I sit here to write this column. I do have one wonderful item to tell you about: One day last week, Lief and I went to North Anson to the Yore Upscale Resale Shop which had opened last year on October 3, 2020…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI) | With more than half of the state’s third graders having experienced tooth decay, the Tooth Fairy is canvassing the state—virtually—to help improve the dental health habits of her young friends, in hopes of a cavity-free Washington…