Issue for August 13, 2026 China Village History Walk – Part 2 of 4: The school that became a chicken house M ore than 60 people turned out on the evening of Friday, July 17, for the China Historical Society’s China Village History Walk, tracing two centuries of village history on foot, building by building. This is the second of four parts. Last week the walkers were standing outside the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, learning how the Washburn family gave the town its name. This week: what stood across the street – including a brick schoolhouse that drew 221 students at its peak and ended its days as a two-story chicken house – and the block that used to be the center of everything… by Eric W. Austin Several China select board topics likely to be on Nov. ballot CHINA – Several topics discussed at the China select board’s Aug. 10 meeting seem likely to appear on a Nov. 3 ballot for voters’ decisions. The potentially expensive one is the China Village Volunteer Fire Department’s request for funds for a new fire truck, estimated to cost up to $750,000… Long CESAC meeting focuses on unit’s response rate CHINA – At 7:58 p.m. on Aug. 6, as China’s Emergency Services Assessment Committee (CESAC) approached moderator Paul Froman’s preferred adjournment time, Froman commented, “It’s almost eight o’clock, and we’ve managed to cover one item on the agenda”… John Glowa Sr. becomes write-in candidate for governor CHINA – John Glowa Sr., of South China, is officially a write-in candidate for governor. He is an independent who sought to be on the ballot – he gathered and submitted more than the 4,000 required certified signatures, but was kept off the ballot by the Secretary of State… Vassalboro seeks to honor military heroes VASSALBORO – The Town of Vassalboro is looking to honor current and former residents who have served or are currently serving in a branch of the military, through its Hometown Hero Banner Program… A book launch by local author: The Ossuary CHINA — David Landry, MD, a retired anesthesiologist who spent his 37-year career in central Maine, says he never planned to write a novel – until a concept came to him one morning in church and fueled a need to write that had been buried within him. The result is The Ossuary , a fast-paced thriller… by Jeanne Marquis The Huard legacy continues WINSLOW — In 1966, Randy Huard returned to the area after training in judo through the U.S. Air Force, became a state champion, and started teaching at the now-demolished original Waterville YMCA – one of the first such schools in Maine. Sixty years later, that vision continues… Vassalboro native returns home to practice optometry VASSALBORO — Dr. Alexis Leigh Bonenfant, O.D., has joined Atlee Gleaton Eye Care, in Augusta, and is now accepting patients. The Vassalboro native returns to central Maine after earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University in 2026… Palermo food pantry seeks donations PALERMO — Amid the abundance of summer, many people are stocking their pantries for the coming winter – but many others cannot. The Palermo food pantry has a serious need for non-perishable food items to restock its bare shelves… Camp Ray of Hope accepting camper registrations WATERVILLE — Camp Ray of Hope is accepting camper registrations for August 28-30, 2026, at Pilgrim Lodge, in West Gardiner. The camp is a weekend retreat for families and individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one… TEAM PHOTO: Fairfield PAL Senior group FAIRFIELD — The 2026 PAL Senior Football Camp ran July 27-28 at the PAL football field, led by Lawrence head football coach Pete Curtis and PAL football director Nick Nadeau, with Lawrence high school football players volunteering their time to help… TEAM PHOTO: Fairfield PAL Junior group FAIRFIELD — The 2026 PAL Junior Football Camp, for ages 7-9, ran July 27-28 at the PAL football field, led by Lawrence head football coach Pete Curtis and PAL football director Nick Nadeau, with Lawrence high school football players volunteering their time to help… Local students honored at SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference AUGUSTA — Career and technical education students were recognized with certificates of accomplishment at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, held June 1-5 in Atlanta, Georgia, where an all-time high of 7,000 students competed in the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships… Lawrence High School Hall of Fame announces newest inductees FAIRFIELD — The Lawrence High School Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026 inductees across three categories – student/athletes, teacher/coach, and the Bulldog Award for a community member… by Aimee N. Lanteigne Madison Legion collecting school supplies MADISON — American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, of Madison, is once again collecting school supplies for children in local schools, including Madison MSAD #59 and Carrabec RSU #74. This year the Auxiliary is also collecting items to support school staff and teachers… Cedarville University recognizes spring 2026 graduates CHINA/SIDNEY — Two local students graduated from Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio, in spring 2026 with undergraduate degrees: Catherine Estes, of Sidney, and Josette Gilman, of China. Kaitlyn Henry completes intensive research project CENTRAL ME — Kaitlyn Henry, a member of the class of 2027 majoring in Data Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, was part of a student team that recently completed a professional-level research project titled “Understanding Community Interest in Reopening the Creativa H.” Anna Lakey named to Elmhurst University’s dean’s list WINSLOW — Anna Lakey, of Winslow, was among more than 1,000 students named to Elmhurst University’s spring 2026 dean’s list, in Elmhurst, Illinois. Local happenings “Loon Room”: a New Neighborhood Hangout WATERVILLE — Loon Room – a live music, amateur comedy, and special events venue devoted to an “All Are Welcome Here” ambiance – opens Friday, August 14, at 1 p.m., at 252 Main Street, in the old A Coffeehouse building… KPA Company announces rehearsal and concert schedule AUGUSTA — The Kennebec Performing Arts Company has announced its rehearsal and concert schedule for the 2026–2027 season, beginning with the KPAC Holiday Concerts at Cony High School on Friday, December 4, and Saturday, December 5…

Waterville Elks Lodge #905 to host annual “Tools to Thrive” backpack distribution WATERVILLE — Waterville Elks Lodge #905 holds its annual “Tools to Thrive” backpack distribution on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 1 – 3 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 76 Industrial Street. Local children receive a free backpack stuffed with age-appropriate school supplies… EVENTS: Mobile milking system for sheep focus of upcoming UMaine Extension workshop GARDINER — University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with University of Vermont Extension, will host a dairy sheep mobile parlor and milk quality workshop from 1 – 3 p.m., on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Oaklands Farm, 335 Lincoln Avenue, in Gardiner… CALENDAR OF EVENTS: End of summer celebration at So. China library SOUTH CHINA – There will be an End of Summer celebration on Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. – noon, at the South China Public Library, 27 Jones Rd., South China. Catered by Nash’s Café, there will be outdoor activities and a children and youth book give-away. The event is free but donations are always welcome… and many other local events! SIDNEY – Beverly Jean (Berry) Stanhope, 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Sidney, on Friday, July 24, 2026… Name that film! Identify the film in which this famous line originated and qualify to win FREE passes to The Maine Film Center, in Waterville: “You can’t handle the truth.” Email us at townline@townline.org with subject “Name that film!” Deadline for submission is September 2, 2026. The Webber’s Pond comic is drawn by an anonymous central Maine resident… Celebrating Maine history Click here for all of our recent stories about the local history of Maine! Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Agriculture in Augusta after 1797 (new) AUGUSTA HISTORY — Following James North’s report on Hallowell’s 1784 condition, here is his report, taken from his 1870 Augusta history, on another survey, in 1792. By then, the population of Hallowell including future Augusta was probably around 1,200, and people were still miserably housed… by Mary Grow Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Agriculture in Augusta in the 1700s AUGUSTA HISTORY — The title above is a bit misleading: this article was intended to be about agriculture in Augusta decades ago, but your writer had difficulty finding information. The article is therefore about sundry things and people, most loosely related to some form of agriculture… by Mary Grow China Village History Walk – Part 1 of 4: The making of China, Maine CHINA HISTORY — More than 60 people turned out on a breezy Friday evening, July 17, for the China Historical Society’s China Village History Walk – filling the parking lot of the little China Village Post Office and then setting off on foot down Main Street to trace two centuries of village history, building by building… by Eric W. Austin Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: More agriculture (Waterville, final) WATERVILLE HISTORY — Waterville’s agricultural organizations were an important part of the 19th-century farming community not yet examined in detail… by Mary Grow Town Line Original Columnists SCORES & OUTDOORS by Roland D. Hallee | I was sitting at the dining room table, enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the daily newspaper when my wife exclaimed, “What kind of bird is that? It looks like a cardinal.” A quick look to my left caught the brilliant red color of a bird sitting in one of the cedar trees… A rare sighting of a scarlet tanager MAINE-LY GARDENING by Jude Hsiang | As black-eyed Susans continue their long mid-summer blooming and our many native goldenrod species brighten the fields, there are more bright yellow flowers to come before we say good-bye to summer… Golden days bring more golden blooms REVIEW POTPOURRI by Peter Cates | There’s a very powerful sense of reverence in the following Passamaquoddy Legend, courtesy of the Maine Speaks anthology… Native legends and musical classics VETERANS CORNER by Gary Kennedy | Last week’s issue was a sellout. Why? Because I gave praise to those who really deserve it and are very much taken for granted for the service they give to the facility. However, I must apologize as I neglected to add the kitchen staff that serves the veterans and staff, 24/7… Apologies to the kitchen staff at the VA; kudos to medical staff AARP NEWS YOU CAN USE by Joyce Bucciantini | By August, Maine’s farm stands and farmers’ markets are bursting with fresh produce. Odds are there is a farmers’ market or farm stand close by that participates in Maine’s Senior FarmShare and Harvest Bucks programs… Maine’s Senior FarmShare program helps with food costs FOR YOUR HEALTH (NAPSI) | While many parents may breathe a sigh of relief when school reopens in the fall, they may also be glad to know schools can take steps to support cleaner indoor air, including HVAC system inspection and cleaning as part of summer maintenance… Clearing the Air For the Next School Year About Us Submit News Donate Calendar of Events Community Local news Events Town Line Archive