The first public hearing of the Edgecomb Planning Board about the Rte. 1 Business Corridor is today, March 7. The second such hearing will be Thursday, March 14, both meetings at the Town Hall, 7:00 p.m. My apologies, I forgot to include the Evan Richart meeting this Tuesday in last week’s column. Can’t win them all...

Friday, to get away from it all, I spent a pleasant hour at the Round Top Center for the Arts viewing the annual Area Schools Art Exhibition. It was exciting to see so many stimulating ideas coming from our children. Our Eddy School youngsters were well represented. Hex Signs by compass and color were by Petra Janney, Grade 4, and by Maggie Hoyt and Dotti Cost, both Grade 5. A couple of Hand Designs by Joel Harris and Hunter Reid, both Grade 2; correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t hand designs been found in ancient caves? As if those Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon people were telling us, "I am here!" Joel’s hands featured many-bladed windmills surrounded by brilliant geometrical designs. Hunter festooned his hands with tiny little monsters with fangs, leering out at us from what looked to be flowers. Samantha Hersom, Grade 5, Abby Harris and Kent Hersom of Grade 6, showed satirical cereal box designs: "Wheat Whispers! They whisper while ya eat ‘em!" or "Grandma Mush! No need for teeth!" and my favorite, "Mooing Molasses Oats, only 1000 calories, only 95% sugar, and 3 vitamins/minerals." Its logo made me think of the cow of the Gateway computer ads, going "Moo!" My compliments to Belinda Reichard, the Eddy School’s art teacher, for giving our kids such entertaining challenges. Digest of a digest of the discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 26, concerning the suggested northern Bypass routes, by worried citizens from North Edgecomb and South Newcastle: a) both northern routes would destroy the most lands, homes, wildlife habitat and waterfront (including 1 ½ miles of undeveloped waterfront in the bay); b) Two bridges would have to be built, rather than the one envisioned by MDOT’s current plans; c) The financial costs are far greater than currently estimated. Using MDOT’s present cost-out figures, the N2 route alone would cost between $44.4 million and $68.6 million; d) Other routes under onsideration would bring lower costs, less environmental damage and less impact on people’s homes.

George Chase e-mails, "I’m very curious about what is planned for the old [Eddy] school after the new one is built. . . .I think a library/community center would be an invaluable resource for the whole town." Any such plans afoot? Please let me know, too!

The Edgecomb Congregational Church needs a coordinator for an expanded Afternoon Adventures program for elementary school age children. If interested, call Madeline Olney (882-6140) or Bob Hardina (563-5236).

The church’s Lenten series on Truth and Belief will discuss the fundamentalist movements occurring in Judaism, Christianity and Islam on March 10; the final session, March 17, will deal with the possibilities and prospects for reconciliation and peace among these three faiths.

Duncan Slade and Gail Fraas report a few pairs of bluebirds in the last week, checking out nesting accommodations for the spring! I should inspect the condition of my mother’s bluebird houses, in anticipation. Meanwhile, I roost at 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com, and 234 River Road. Hope to hear from you!