Issue for August 20, 2026 Celebrating 38 years of local news “Made in China” exhibition draws artists and visitors to South China T he second annual “Made in China” art exhibition filled the Barn, at 16 Jones Road, in South China, on August 6 – 8, bringing together nearly 30 local artists and 60 works – paintings, photography, quilting, collage, felting, and even a portion of a model train collection. Sponsored by the China Historical Society, the show drew both more participants and, organizers felt, a range and quality of work that exceeded even last year’s inaugural exhibition… submitted by Geoff Hargadon Vassalboro town manager stepping down to become Skowhegan’s top official VASSALBORO – Town Manager Aaron Miller handed in his letter of resignation at the Aug. 12 Vassalboro select board meeting, effective next month as he becomes Skowhegan’s town manager on Sept. 14. Board and audience members unanimously thanked him for his four years’ work in Vassalboro – and the four town office staff members present all wore black shirts, as a sign of mourning… Vassalboro school board holds organizational meeting VASSALBORO – Vassalboro School Board members held their organizational meeting for the 2026-27 academic year on August 11 with a new superintendent, a new Vassalboro Community School principal, and still a few staff vacancies to fill – including no assistant principal… China planners approve ordinance amendments CHINA – At their Aug. 11 meeting, China Planning Board members approved a section of recommended ordinance amendments and referred the document to the select board for probable inclusion on the Nov. 3 local ballot. They also approved an amendment to an existing subdivision on the west side of Vassalboro Road, along China Lake… China transfer station committee addresses two topics CHINA – Two topics dominated discussion at the Aug. 11 China Transfer Station Committee meeting: commercial haulers, and the proposed new Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery Ordinance… Town of Oakland announces awards to three local businesses OAKLAND – Launching its inaugural round of grant funding to support downtown revitalization, the town of Oakland has awarded $25,000 to three local businesses through the Oakland Façade & Downtown Improvement Grant Program, funded by the town’s Downtown Tax-Increment Financing district… LETTERS: Waiting with baited breath from Michael Cox (Somerville) — Somerville residents voted to hire an independent auditor to bring our town’s books up to date and finally get clarity on what was – and wasn’t – done under the prior administration. That work is happening… New Dimensions business services welcomes Frank Isganitis WATERVILLE — New Dimensions Business Services has added Frank Isganitis to its team, bringing extensive experience in SBA lending, credit management, entrepreneurship and hospitality operations. A former small business owner himself, Isganitis has combined business ownership with senior leadership roles throughout his career… HealthReach welcomes new Clinician, Julie Tardiff, FNP BELGRADE — Belgrade Regional Health Center welcomes Julie Tardiff, FNP, to its clinical team this September. Tardiff earned her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Saint Joseph’s College in 2026 and brings nearly 10 years as a Maine-based registered nurse, with experience in women’s healthcare, pediatric care, surgical work and cancer care… Area residents named to Clark University’s dean’s list CENTRAL ME – Four area students earned a place on the Spring 2026 dean’s list at Clark University, in Worcester, Massachusetts, all with first honors: Samantha N. Golden, of South China, Jasper Q. New, of Jefferson, Maya L. Patten, of Mercer, and Brexton E. Getchell, of Unity… Erin Kalback earns dean’s list honors at Roger Williams University OAKLAND — Erin Kalback, of Oakland, has been named to the Spring 2026 dean’s list at Roger Williams University, in Bristol, Rhode Island. Local happenings EVENTS: Winslow to honor 1976-77 football champs WINSLOW — On Saturday, September 19, the legendary 1976-77 Winslow Black Raiders Pine Tree Conference Class B state football champions will return to the field during the 2026 homecoming game, recognized at halftime on the 50th anniversary of that championship season – along with the cheerleaders, majorettes, band members and drill team… EVENTS: Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area to offer 6-week evening peer grief support group WATERVILLE — Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area is offering a 6-week peer grief support group from September 3 through October 8, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., at its Community Center, 304 Main Street, in Waterville. Facilitated by trained bereavement volunteers and open to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one; registration is required… 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: Summer open house & concert with Castlebay CHINA – Join the China Library Association for their annual Summer Open House on Sunday, August 23, from 2 – 4 p.m. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a concert featuring colonial ballads revived by Maine folk musicians, Castlebay. Enjoy free revolution era inspired refreshments, trivia, and a scavenger hunt that will be fun for the whole family… and many other local events! ALBION – Shawn Carol Meader, 45, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2026, in Ossipee Lake, New Hampshire. Born and raised in Albion, Shawn attended Lawrence High School, in Fairfield, graduating with the class of 2000…

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 continued (new) AUGUSTA HISTORY — In the short biographies that end the Augusta chapters in Henry Kingsbury’s Kennebec County history, Charles Nash identified about two dozen men as farmers or living on farms, out of almost 100 subjects, not all of whose occupations he named… by Mary Grow China Village History Walk – Part 3 of 4: The night the row burned (new) CHINA HISTORY — More 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 third of four parts. Last week’s installment left the walkers where Main Street meets the Neck Road, listening to Joyce Norton – who grew up in the row of buildings that once stood there… by Eric W. Austin Up and Down the Kennebec Valley: Agriculture in Augusta after 1797 AUGUSTA HISTORY — Following James North’s report on Hallowell’s 1784 condition (from last week’s article), here is his report, taken from his 1870 Augusta history, on another survey, in 1792… by Mary Grow China Village History Walk – Part 2 of 4: The school that became a chicken house CHINA HISTORY — More 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… by Eric W. Austin Common Ground: Win a $10 gift certificate! DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Identify the people in these three photos, and tell us what they have in common! You could win a $10 gift certificate to Hannaford Supermarket! 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: Yvette Bernier, Winslow Town Line Original Columnists SCORES & OUTDOORS by Roland D. Hallee | One night last week, I was awakened by the sound of a barred owl, literally, outside our bedroom window. Within seconds, a second barred owl responded from a short distance away. The call was repeated, and the response also repeated. That was the end. I guess they got together… The unwelcomed barred owl MAINE-LY GARDENING by Jude Hsiang | Maine is deservedly famous for its wild blueberries whose health benefits rival their deliciousness. Blueberry festivals are on our midsummer calendars and there are lots of opportunities to pick wild low bush and highbush blueberries to provide future treats for the pantry and freezer… Blackberries and their neighbors REVIEW POTPOURRI by Peter Cates | Pianist Carmen Cavallaro (1913-1989), like Eddy Duchin, Liberache, Roger Williams and Peter Nero, frequently combined classical music with pop tunes, and sometimes in a slapdash/flash in the pan manner. A mega hit for Cavallaro was his bombastic reworking of a Chopin Polonaise, recorded in 1945… From vintage records to Maine comedy VETERANS CORNER by Gary Kennedy | We need to get into some serious discussions this week. Everything with Togus VA is not Roses. I will try to include photos to prove my points. My big problem is, we are a small newspaper and there is only so much space, so I am not allowed to write a book or present you with an art gallery… Fisher House was doomed to fail About Us Submit News Donate Calendar of Events Community Local news Events Town Line Archive