Week of February 20, 2020
China resident is Maine’s Conservation Officer of the Year
David Ross – China resident, local game warden, and Maine’s nominee for Conservation Officer of the Year – is worried. Fewer Mainer’s are enjoying the great outdoors, especially the younger generation. “The youth – they’re not out there. It’s my age and up,” says Ross, who is in his mid-30s. “Whether that’s parents not passing down traditions, or kids not wanting to be outdoors – too many distractions? – I don’t know what the answer is…” [665 words] by Eric W. Austin
Your Local News
Selectmen discuss TIF spending for next year
VASSALBORO — The major topic at the Vassalboro selectmen’s Feb. 11 meeting (rescheduled from the previous Thursday evening due to bad weather) was how to spend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds next year…
Solar farm group reveals plans for Windsor Road project
CHINA — China Planning Board members heard more information about the proposed solar development off Windsor Road, plus comments from neighbors, at their Feb. 11 meeting. They scheduled a Tuesday, Feb. 25, public hearing…
Committee makes final budget recommendations
CHINA — China Budget Committee members and selectmen have made their final recommendations on the warrant for the April 4 town business meeting, agreeing to disagree on two of the 28 articles…
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Opioid Crisis Response: A plan of compassion, connection and communities
by Jeani Marquis —“This is a chronic disease, explains Gordon Smith, the executive director of the Maine Opioid Crisis Response task force, “we need to break down the stigma to stop shaming people for using drugs, encourage them, love them and wrap our arms around them and get them into recovery…”
Annika Carey receives MPA Principals Award
ANSON — Annika Carey, daughter of Erik and Tanya Carey, of Embden, a senior at Carrabec High School, in North Anson, has been selected to receive the 2020 Principal’s Award, according to Principal Timothy Richards…
Maine’s only leap year town set for celebration: Smithfield to observe incorporation as town
SMITHFIELD — Come help Maine’s only Leap Year town celebrate its anniversary! All the fun begins on Wednesday, February 26, with Saturday, February 29, being a day filled with family friendly fun! The schedule of events looks like this…
Winslow native patrols the sea aboard Navy warship
WINSLOW — Three years ago, Petty Officer 2nd Class Trevor Lovely joined the Navy because his family has a tradition of military service. “Most of my family were in the Marines,” said Lovely. “I knew I wanted to join the military, but wanted something a little different, which is why I joined the Navy…”
OPINIONS – Question 1: No vote will protect our children and everyone’s health
Tom Waddell (Litchfield) — The Yes on Question 1 road signs include No to Big Pharma to gain support against a perceived common enemy. Most people revile Big Pharma’s obscene profits and assume a yes vote will lower drug prices, but it won’t. What it will do is increase the risk of children catching a deadly and preventable disease…
LETTERS: How to control municipal spending
Neil Farrington (So. CHINA) — We have entered the 20th year of the 21st century with a flood of information at our fingertips. We can now watch local government at work with video streaming, pay our taxes online and ask questions with email. The current open meeting limits voter participation to 3 – 4 hours on a Saturday. A secret ballot would allow town registered voters the ability to vote absentee 30 days prior…
School News
RSU #18 gifted and talented hard at work
OAKLAND — RSU #18 Middle School Gifted and Talented students have been hard at work on their spring project, “Find a Need, Fill a Need.” Student teams are tasked with finding a need and then designing and building an adaptive device that helps increase independence or enhances quality of life for a person facing a physical or cognitive challenge due to a disability or increased age…
JMG announces students of the quarter in China
CHINA — JMG is proud to celebrate two eighth graders who were named students of the quarter for the second quarter. JMG team members, Hailey Estes and Alexia McDonald, earned the recognition for their hard work and dedication…
Local students on dean’s list at Dean College
WINSLOW/WATERVILLE — Dean College, in Franklin, Massachusetts, has announced the local students that have earned a place on the dean’s list for the Fall 2019 semester: Zoe Derosby, of Waterville; Cami Dubois, of Winslow; Joshua Veilleux, of Winslow…
McCowan was named to the Fall 2019 dean’s list at Muhlenberg College
WINSLOW — Kathleen McCowan, of Winslow, was named to the Dean’s List at Muhlenberg College, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, for the Fall 2019 semester…
Students named to Champlain College dean’s list for Fall 2019 Semester
OAKLAND/CORNVILLE — The following students have been named to the Champlain College dean’s list, in Burlington, Vermont, for the Fall 2019 semester. Jacob Buzzell, of Oakland, and Benjamin Voter, of Cornville….
Taylor Ferguson graduates from the University of New Hampshire
SIDNEY — Taylor Ferguson, of Sidney, graduated from the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, New Hampshire, in December 2019. She earned a MS in Occupational Therapy…
Winslow resident to have principal role in the Dean College theatre production, La Bete
WINSLOW — Joshua Veilleux, of Winslow, will play Elomire in the Dean College production of La Bete, beginning Thursday, February 20 through Sunday, February 23, 2020, in Franklin, Massachusetts….
Obituaries
CLINTON – Emily Ray Baker, 14, passed away with her younger sister, in an automobile accident on Sunday, February 9, 2020, on the Hinckley Road, in Clinton. She was born on August 19, 2005, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Kevin and Samantha Baker… and remembering 9 others.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
WATERVILLE RECYCLED SHAKESPEARE CO. auditions for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Thurs., March 19, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Skills Inc., Ervin Center, 46 Front St. Actors of all experience needed. Early auditions available by calling Emily at 314-8607 or RecycledShakespeare@gmail.com… (…and many other local events!)
Polling places and times for March 3, 2020 primary
CENTRAL ME — Location of local polling places for the upcoming March 3 election including: China, Fairfield, Madison, Palermo, Sidney, Somerville, Waterville and Windsor…
Common Ground – Round 14: Win a $10 gift certificate!
DEADLINE: Friday, March 13, 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: Peggy Beck, of So. China.
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | While I sit here at my computer, trying to figure out what to write about this week, I am watching several house finches at my feeders – (light bulb comes on over my head). Oh, why not do an article about house finches?…
GARDEN WORKS
by Emily Cates | Calling all gardeners! There’s treasure hiding among the pages of all those seed catalogs, ready to be highlighted and added to your order form. In our last article, we looked at a few alphabetically and got all the way to “E for eggplant.” Now let’s move on to “G for garlic” and beyond…
MONEY SAVINGS for MAINERS
by Shell Rowe | There are many of us in today’s economy that are thriving. That said, however, there are also many in our communities that struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table. That includes tons of financially challenged parents as well as single folks who simultaneously are also health and environmentally conscious. Here’s a few cost saving ideas I personally have utilized over the years…
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | On Sunday February 9, the soprano Mirella Freni died from the combination of strokes and a degenerative disease she had been suffering for a number of years. I have been a fan of her records ever since first hearing one of her singing a Verdi aria over 50 years ago while still in high school…
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
by Dan Beaulieu | Oh, that dreaded word “CHANGE.” I have seen companies go out of business, rather than change. I have seen people suffer from all kinds of physical ailments, rather than change. I have seen companies fail because they don’t want to change…
INside the OUTside
by Dan Cassidy | Adaptive programs are being offered at Sunday River, in Bethel, Sugarloaf, in Carrabssett Valley, and other ski mountains in Maine. Also included are Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, competitive Alpine racing and programs for visually impaired skiing for snow sports athletes…
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Have you ever been surprised when someone you know ends a relationship because of abuse and you had no idea? It’s hard to believe there was anything wrong because you ‘didn’t see or hear it’. This is the role of the silent abuser…
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | The Second Quarter Honor Roll at Solon Elementary School is as follows: All A’s, Katelyn DeLeonardis, Kaitlin Dellarma,David Dixon, Lydia Dixon, Lane Frost, Charlotte Hamilton, and Jillian Robinson…
FOR YOUR HEALTH
(NAPSI)—For most parents, happiness is seeing a smile on their child’s face—right from that first gummy grin. Instilling good dental hygiene habits early can help protect your child’s precious smile…
