Week of March 5, 2020

Celebrating 32 years of local news

Area roads earmarked for improvements in 2020-21

The Maine Department of Transportation has announced plans for road improvements in the China – Vassalboro – Winslow area, in 2020-2021. For 2020, the work will include Rte. 137, from China to Winslow, with the work to begin at Rte. 202 and extending west 6.14 miles to Rte. 137B, then extend north 1.04 miles to Rte. 201. This will include overlay. From China to Vassalboro, along the Neck Rd., Webber Pond Rd., Bog Rd., and Stanley Hill Road…

Your Local News

First of two solar projects gets approval in China

CHINA — After a Feb. 25 public hearing that lasted only a minute because no one in the audience asked to testify, China Planning Board members approved the first of two solar projects near Route 3, with three conditions…

Study to be conducted in China on broadband availability

CHINA — Of the various decisions China selectmen made at their March 2 meeting, they hope one will affect every household in town. That one is the unanimous vote to contract with Mission Broadband, a telecommunications advisory company with a goal of bringing broadband service to unserved and underserved areas…

ICE OUT 2020? Take a guess. Win a prize!

CHINA — When will the last of the ice disappear from China Lake? Email us your guess by noon, Friday, April 10 and you could win a prize! To help you out, here are dates from the last 145 years… (Our email: townline@townline.org)

Take our weekly survey!

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ELECTION RESULTS

China voting results from March 3 presidential primary

CHINA — Two of the three candidates for the vacant seat on the China Board of Selectmen were separated by a single vote at the end of March 3 voting. Town Clerk Becky Hapgood reported…

Vassalboro & Fairfield voting results from March 3 presidential primary

VASSALBORO/FAIRFIELD — Unofficial election results from the town of Vassalboro, according to town clerk Catherine Coyne…Also, unofficial election results from the town of Fairfield, according to town clerk Christine Keller…

Somerset Public Health’s forum on rural opioid crisis held in Palmyra

by Jeanne Marquis — One of the early questions from their audience of concerned citizens summed up the obstacles to addiction recovery in rural Maine: “By the time somebody realizes they need help, they’ve probably lost their job, their friends, the ability to drive and their insurance – so how do they get help?”…

Four Seasons Club fishing derby big success

CHINA — The China Four Seasons Club and the China Village Fire Department held the first China Lake fishing derby on March 1, over 18 years since the area’s last fishing derby…

Skowhegan Savings Bank welcomes two new employees

SKOWHEGAN — Skowhegan Savings Bank has announced that John Butera and Steve Gray have joined the bank as vice presidents of commercial lending. They will work to assist the bank’s customers with their business banking…

Leap year baby celebrates eighth birthday

CENTRAL ME — Back in 1988, Aaron Conlogue, was born on February 29. Thirty-two years later, Aaron will be celebrating his eighth official birthday. His daughter will be turning eight years old on April 30. So, they are both celebrating their eighth birthday in 2020…

LETTERS: To prevent false rumors

from Dr. David Austin (Albion) — As many of you probably know, I am no longer working at the health center. The reasons are not for discussion here, but I do want to mention something which is not a reason, to prevent any false rumors…

Local Town Meetings Schedule 2020

Local town meetings schedule for 2020 for China, Solon. To add your town to this list, email us at townline@townline.org

2019-’20 Real Estate Tax Due Dates

Due dates for 2019 Real Estate taxes for Chelsea, China, Palermo, Vassalboro, Waterville and Windsor…

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MONMOUTH: SMASH presents a full production of Shakespeare’s King Lear, at Cumston Hall, in Monmouth, Thurs., March 12, 6 p.m.; Fri., March 13, 6 p.m., Sat., March 14, 2 p.m. Tickets available at the door, or online at smashmaine.jimdo.com. Among this year’s cast are six members of the Maxwell family of South China… (…and many other local events!)

Obituaries

SIDNEY – H. Alan Hume, M.D., 93, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. He was born on September 25, 1926, in Lynchburg, Virginia, the son of Dr. Harry and Elizabeth Hume… and remembering 7 others.

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

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | While in the early stages of my seventh decade, like everyone else of my generation, we have aches and pains that appear from time to time. I happen to have one in my neck (no, not my wife). I’ve tried various things, but my oldest brother put me on to a product called Blue Emu…

Emily CatesGARDEN WORKS

by Emily Cates | When I’ve come in from a cold late winter’s day after hauling sap, I like to sit down and settle in with a seed catalog. If you’ve been following this whimsical series on seeds that stand out in the pages of their catalogs, then this article might give you a few more ideas…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) and Franz von Suppe (1819-1895) are each represented by three minute selections on this old 78 released more than 100 years ago. The Barcarolle comes from Offen­bach’s one opera, Tales of Hoffmann, although he composed about 80 operettas…

THE MONEY MINUTE

by Jac M. Arbour | As financial advisors, we look at the income, expenses, balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and many other documents, for both corporations and individuals, and we do it every day. It seems so normal, so routine…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | Let’s see what I can come up with tonight. This doesn’t mean I have tried them; I am seeing some of them for the first time myself. So let me know what you think?…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | This will be a short column this week as I am recovering from surgery on my eyes. I am sure many of you have noticed my red eyelids for many months, but were kind, and didn’t mention it…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — Look around the next time you’re in a crowd. One-third of everyone in there with you is at risk of developing dangerous kidney disease…