Week of November 12, 2020

Celebrating 32 years of local news

VBA sponsors “Light Up the Season” contest in Vassalboro

The Vassalboro Business Association is sponsoring a Light Up The Season in Vassalboro outdoor holiday display contest, for and in Vassalboro. To enter simply call or text your name and the address of the display site to 631-3303 or email the information to lindatitus@hotmail.com, before December 15. It is free. Prizes will be awarded in two categories, Best in Town, and Most Creative. The prizes will range from $50 – $150 and the winners will be announced on December 19…

Madison Legion Auxiliary donates school supplies to seven schools

The Madison American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #39 supports community programs such as Children and Youth. Each year the members of the Auxiliary donate school backpacks filled with school supplies… With the generosity of cash donations and school supplies from auxiliary members and community members, the American Legion Auxiliary of Madison was able to donate over $700 worth of school supplies and backpacks to seven schools in the Madison and Anson area…

Your Local News

China election results updated

CHINA — Two of the three write-in positions on China’s Nov. 3 local ballot have been filled, Town Clerk Angela Nelson reported. Trishea Story has accepted the secretaryship of the budget committee, and Elizabeth Curtis will fill the at-large budget committee seat. Each received the most write-in votes for the respective position…

Selectmen OK broadband improvement RFP

CHINA — At their Nov. 9 meeting, China selectmen approved two requests, from the Broadband Committee and the volunteer fire departments, and made several appointments…

Selectmen tour two town fire stations

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen John Melrose, Barbara Redmond and Rob Browne listen as fire department member Mike Vashon, describes the functions of one of the town’s fire trucks during a recent tour of the town’s two fire stations (photo)…

Fairfield election results from November 3

FAIRFIELD — The following are the unofficial election results from the town of Fairfield, as submitted by Fairfield Town Clerk Christine Keller…

Fire truck repairs OK’d by selectmen, new insurance plan

WINDSOR — At the October 13 selectmen’s meeting, they learned of many trees down in the town that need to be cleaned up, said Public Works director Keith Hall. The selectmen instructed Hall to take care of the worse ones first…

Thanksgiving pies made to order

PALERMO — Several of Palermo’s Food Pantry volunteers are seeking to raise money to keep the Community Center’s heat on and the freezers running… For only $10, you might choose a pumpkin, apple, pecan, chocolate creme, or peanut butter creme pie…

Free Thanksgiving dinners offered

WATERVILLE — The Alfond Youth and Community Center, North St., Waterville, will host a Drive Thru Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, November 21, from 1 – 3 p.m. in the AYCC parking lot…

All Things Irish virtual show planned

CENTRAL ME — The Best of All Things Irish in Maine 2020, a live virtual show featuring a delightful mix of all things Irish in Maine, will be held on Sunday, November 22, from 4 – 6 p.m. on YouTube…

STUDENT WRITERS PROGRAM – Examining “The Social Dilemma”: The real impact on young people (New)

ERSKINE ACADEMY — It is truly paradoxical that a generation has been raised to be enthralled by inventions detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing. A Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, addresses the evolution of and dangers of social media, an enigma and issue growing exponentially along with the minds of young adults… by Olivia Bourque

STUDENT WRITERS PROGRAM: So what? The real impact on young people

ERSKINE ACADEMY — We all have bad days. Maybe your cat got run over or maybe the jelly in your PB and J sandwich made the bread way too soggy for the desired taste of the sandwich, or maybe you’ve had your head in your screen all day… by Hannah Soule

STUDENT WRITERS PROGRAM: Tribalism in American Politics

ERSKINE ACADEMY — Tribalism is the behavior and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group. Tribalism is a natural part of human behavior that can be seen in all aspects of life. More now than ever, we are seeing strong tribalism in American politics… by Grace Kelso

PHOTO: Winslow Fire Dept. receives new truck

WINSLOW — Members of the Winslow Fire Department pause from training to pose for a photo with their new engine. (photo by Central Maine Photography)

Madison Legion Auxiliary donates school supplies to seven schools

WINSLOW — The members of the Winslow Fire Department pause from training to pose for a photo with their new engine… (photo by Central Maine Photography)

Hallowell Food Bank receives largest donation in its history

HALLOWELL — The Hallowell Food Bank has announced a $5,000 donation from Central Maine Power Co. The donation is the largest monetary donation ever made to the food bank…

PHOTO: Waterville-Winslow football action

WATERVILLE/WINSLOW — Waterville Youth Football team member Logan Cimino (42) runs with the ball while Winslow defenders, from left to right, Michael Loubier (68), Benjamin Fisher (50), and Larson Ronco (32), move in for the stop (photo by Central Maine Photography)

PHOTOS: Fall 2020 Winslow travel soccer teams

WINSLOW — Team pictures for boys & girls travel soccer by Central Maine Photography…

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Augusta printers (New)

MAINE HISTORY — In addition to the nationally and internationally famous people profiled earlier in this series (James G. Blaine, Rufus Jones, Elijah Parish Lovejoy, Senator George Mitchell), other central Kennebec Valley residents have made significant contributions beyond the local area… by Mary Grow [1953 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Electricity and telephones

MAINE HISTORY — Many local histories find the arrival and expansion of electricity and telephone service noteworthy, especially in Maine’s smaller communities. As most of us learned in grammar school, Benjamin Franklin is credited with discovering electricity in 1752… by Mary Grow [1865 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Mail delivery – Conclusion

MAINE HISTORY — The previous article talked about postal service in the southern part of the central Kennebec Valley. This article completes the story with summary postal histories of Sidney, Fairfield, Benton, and Clinton, plus miscellaneous notes… by Mary Grow [1371 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Mail delivery – Part 1

MAINE HISTORY — Intercolonial mail started in the early 1700s in the major cities on the east coast of the future United States, and had reached Maine’s coastal towns before the Revolution. The national postal service was organized during the Revolution, with Benjamin Franklin the first Postmaster General. Alma Pierce Robbins wrote in her history of Vassalboro that mail service reached the central Kennebec Valley in the 1790s… by Mary Grow [1829 words]

LETTERS: Smiles, waves and happy birthday

from Joan L. Robertson (Palermo) — Smiles, waves and happy birthday was the reception I received as I was returning to my car after voting at the Palermo Town Office. But wait – I am getting ahead of myself…

Give Us Your Best Shot!

The best recent photos from our readers…

Webber’s Pond

Webber’s Pond is a comic drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident…

Obituaries

SOUTH CHINA – Joyce C. Goodine, 82, of South China, passed peacefully Sunday, November 1, 2020. She was born on December 9, 1937, the daughter of Leonard and Grace Griggs… and remembering 7 others.

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Friday, November 13, 2020

Identify the objects 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: Kay Pooler, Vassalboro.

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | My wife and I had a good friend visit with us last week, and following many different conversations, she asked the question, “Why are Canada geese flying north in November?” Interesting question…

VETERANS CORNER

by Gary Kennedy | Well, here we are again, my friends and fellow vets. Not much time has gone by but I have been presented with many questions and problems. It seems that the online conferencing which no one seems to know about isn’t going too great…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Tchaikovsky finished composing his 5th Symphony in 1888; along with the 4th and 6th (Pathetique) Symphonies; it expresses the most intense extremes of emotion, ranging from harrowing despair to jubilation. The composer himself was manic and tormented his entire life by self-doubts and depression…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | Do you ever wonder? Tonight, I am wondering. I am wondering, is there ever going to be an end to these ridiculous phone calls or junk mail? I know I am not alone. So, why are we bombarded with such junk?…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | My apologies for not having a column last week, but that fussy computer of mine refused to cooperate as it quite often does. Was so pleased to receive the Solon School News, volume November 4. The Principal’s Message…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — Dreadful as the pandemic has been, for some people it has meant a positive health change. Three in 10 Americans made a major change to their diet during this time, according to new research…