Week of November 19, 2020

Celebrating 32 years of local news

Unity College earns national honor for sustainability in its curriculum

Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education recognizes America’s Environmental College in its Sustainable Campus Index

As America’s Environmental College, it’s important for Unity College to establish itself as a leader in sustainability — to not only talk the talk, but to also walk the walk, doubling down on its mission. As Unity College leans into curricular excellence in sustainability — a key contributor to the College reaching record enrollment, which has more than doubled over the past five years — the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has recognized the College for its contributions to sustainability in its undergraduate and graduate curriculum…

Your Local News

Transfer station committee asks for travel reimbursement

CHINA — Members of China’s Transfer Station Committee, meeting remotely the morning of Nov. 10, discussed a variety of trash-disposal and recycling issues, but made only one decision…

Planners to visit site of proposed medical marijuana dispensary

CHINA — China Planning Board members heard an application for a trailer-based medical marijuana dispensary at their Nov. 10 Zoom meeting, and scheduled a site visit and a public hearing prior to taking action…

Board approves one of two marijuana-related projects

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro Planning Board members approved one of three applications on their Nov. 10 agenda, in the course of a four-hour meeting under often-frustrating conditions…

Become a member: An open letter to our readers

Dear Reader: For the past 32 years, The Town Line has pledged a mission statement to “create a vibrant rural community connecting our towns, organizations and individuals through communication, education and public dialogue.” It’s all part of The Town Line’s mission to be a positive force in our community…

Popular St. Michael School Christmas Fair goes virtual in 2020

AUGUSTA — Through December 21, all are encouraged to check gifts off their Christmas shopping list by visiting the St. Michael School Christmas Fair, being presented virtually due to the pandemic…

The written word in business to be presented at chamber breakfast

CENTRAL ME — This informative presentation will be the focus at Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s December Business Breakfast. December’s breakfast will be held on Thursday, December 3, from 7:15 to 9:00 a.m. at the Best Western Plus, 375 Main Street, Waterville…

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

Sabrina Jandreau joins Central Maine Growth Council as Development Coordinator

CENTRAL ME — Central Maine Growth Council, a public-private collaborative regional economic development partnership, has hired Sabrina Jandreau as its next Development Coordinator…

Fortins celebrate 65th wedding anniversary

CENTRAL ME — On October 24, 2020, Anne, 86, left, and Jerry Fortin, 85, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They received many congratulations and well wishes from friends and relatives as far away as Connor Township, Maine, to Riverside, California, with many in between…

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Notable women (New)

MAINE HISTORY — As background for this piece on a small selection of women of importance from the central Kennebec Valley, some historical notes might establish a useful timeline… by Mary Grow [1825 words]

Up and down the Kennebec Valley: Augusta printers

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]

Webber’s Pond

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

Obituaries

CHELSEA – Kimberly Anne Pottle, 54, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at her home, in Chelsea. Kim was born on December 3, 1965, in Waterville, daughter of Roland and Barbara Bouchard… and remembering 14 others.

Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate!

DEADLINE: Friday, December 18, 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: Ardra Poulin, Winslow.

Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS

by Roland D. Hallee | Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey as the national bird of the United States, but he never publicly voiced his opposition to the bald eagle. In a letter to his daughter, Sarah Bache, on January 26, 1783…

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

by Dan Beaulieu | To grow your business, you have to not only be better than your competition, but you also have to be the best you can be…Whether you are a landscaper, or a plumber, or a contractor, or you own a small business, you have to find ways to not only differentiate yourself from your competition…

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates | Cesar Cui, along with fellow composers Mily Balakirev, Alexander Borodin, Modeste Mous­sorgsky and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, forged a bond known as the Russian five in writing music with nationalist feeling, rhythms and melodies of their country’s history, legends and folk music sources…

I’M JUST CURIOUS

by Debbie Walker | Oh yeah, it is that time of year, the time to start preparing for the holidays. In a Woman’s Day magazine, April Franzino honored her family’s Thanksgiving tradition of serving dinner to homeless. However, her spin on it is to volunteer at a local food pantry. And, of course, either of these would work any day of any week…

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull | This week I am continuing with more Solon School News: Last March the students participated in the annual Bookmark Contest in which students designed bookmarks to promote reading…

FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — If you’ve ever been the parent of a school-aged child, you know the drill. A new school year means a new list of required school supplies. And these days the list is definitely different…