Week of July 16, 2020

Celebrating 32 years of local news

China manager leaving town in good shape

“Above all, I hope the people of China have an optimistic outlook about the future,” said Dennis Heath, who is resigning from his position as manager for the town of China this week. “With Becky [Hapgood] stepping up as town manager they have nothing to fear.” Heath was hired as China’s town manager in June 2018 when Daniel L’Heureux retired from the position after 22 years. Current town clerk, Becky Hapgood, has been chosen by the selectboard to succeed Heath as the new town manager… [1206 words] by Eric W. Austin

Your Local News

Town office now open for business

CHINA — At their July 6 first-in-the-month meeting, China selectmen heard town department reports, submitted in writing and summarized by retiring Town Manager Dennis Heath…

Energy application incomplete; action postponed

VASSALBORO — At their July 7 meeting, Vassalboro Planning Board members found that Longroad Energy Management’s application for a solar farm at 2579 Riverside Drive (Route 201) is incomplete. They therefore postponed action…

China voters approve entire warrant

CHINA — The Albion town meeting was held on Saturday, June 27, 2020. This year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the meeting was held at the Albion Fire Station, where social distancing was more easily attainable, as opposed to the normal location at the Besse Building…

Vassalboro voters confirm school budget

VASSALBORO — Voters had two questions remaining from their June 22 open town meeting to answer at the polls July 14, local elections and the annual school budget referendum…

Over two dozen boats in Sheepscot parade

PALERMO — The Sheepscot Lake Association hosted the second annual Independence Day boat parade, on Sheepscot Lake, on July 4. Over 25 decorated boats participated, with many others enjoying the festivities from the shore.

VBA announces scholarship winners

VASSALBORO — The Vassalboro Business Association has announced the recipients of its four $500 scholarships. Much of this money was raised by Freddie’s Cruise in, an annual event organized by Bill and Roxanne Pullen…

Taste of Waterville will go on

WATERVILLE — Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s 28th Annual Taste of Waterville is planned for Sunday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Head of Falls, Downtown Waterville…

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Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Governors with Kennebec ties, Part 2 (New)

MAINE HISTORY — Here follows the third and probably final piece on Maine’s governors and the second that lists those with a connection to the central Kennebec River valley, with some random notes that might be of interest…  [1152 words] by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Governors with Kennebec ties

MAINE HISTORY — Since 1820, 71 people have held the office of Governor of Maine. Four of them served non-consecutive terms and get counted twice, so Janet Mills is the 75th governor. The next two articles in this historical series will provide information on governors who were born in or near, or made their careers in or near, one of the central Kennebec Valley towns with which the series began…  [1804 words] by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Kennebec Proprietors

MAINE HISTORY — This series has repeatedly mentioned the Kennebec Proprietors. It is now time to backtrack to the 18th century, to find out who they were and why they are mentioned in almost every history of the State of Maine and in most local histories of Kennebec Valley towns and cities…  [1845 words] by Mary Grow

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Maine governors

MAINE HISTORY — During discussion of the history of Albion for the June 11 issue of The Town Line, a friend mentioned “Albion” as a first name – unusual, she thought. The conversation reminded your writer that Maine had a governor whose first name was Albion: Albion K. Parris was sworn in Jan. 5, 1822, and left office Jan. 3, 1827, after serving five consecutive one-year terms…  [1649 words] by Mary Grow

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Obituaries

VASSALBORO – Muriel E. Greenleaf, 90, of Vassalboro, passed away on Monday June 29, 2020. She was born in Hallowell on October 30, 1929, the daughter of William and Elva (Smith) Harp… and remembering 7 others.

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Over the last few weeks, we have had more moths show up at The Town Line office than visitors. The appearances continue. Following the moths we covered last time, this week we will cover the Polyphemus moth and the Luna moth…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | The prolific English writer, H.E. Bates (1905-1974), published his novel The Purple Plain in 1947 and it was made into a 1954 film starring Gregory Peck, of which I have only the vaguest memories when it was shown on one of the Sunday-Afternoon-at-the-Movies…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | Received the following letter from Linda Rogers French: Dear Alumni and Friends, Because of the Covid-19 we will not be having the reunion this year as there is no way to predict if it will be safe by then…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — Do you need assistance finding local programs that can help you get food or address other critical needs that have arisen due to COVID-nineteen? The Eldercare Locator stands ready to connect older adults, caregivers and professionals to local meals and community-based services…