"Something doing all the time, the band plays every night!" I remember the cheerful sign on an old collapsing barn up the Mt. Hunger Road, now part of the Schmid Preserve.

This message certainly applies to Edgecomb's Eddy School! Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to listen in on Mary Herman (aka Mrs. Guv.) reading to two different assemblies of classes from books provided by the Reading Is Fundamental program. Ms. Herman read with splendid vivacity from a number of books including several by Maine authors. The kids were spell-bound.

Later, the 3d graders went on to meet with Audubon presenter Julie Ilkavich, to learn about water: quality and quantity and where it comes from. She brought a nifty visual aid, a quilted landscape of rolling hills, a river and sky, with a large brown tree trunk in the foreground. The children could tack on fluffy clouds with velcro, blue felt raindrops, and pictures of assorted insects, birds, other small creatures.

Unnoticed at the time: Shortly after the 9/11/01 attack, Edgecomb's students, under the guidance of teacher Karen Kleinhoff, made bookmarks to sell at the Eddy School PTC's October Harvest Fair, and in other ways, succeeded in raising $1000 which they converted to book certificates from Scholastic, Inc. to be sent to four schools that had lost buildings near Ground Zero. Let us applaud these children, and take pride in their deep understanding and generosity after such a terrible event.

Ruth Bryant joined 30 classmates of the Gorham State Teachers' College, Class of '52, at University of Southern Maine graduation exercises Saturday, May 11. The "Golden Grads" were treated to breakfast on the Portland campus, and to lunch at the Eastland Hotel. Then, at the Civic Center, resplendent in their golden caps and gowns, they led the procession of over 800 members of the Class of 2002. The hundreds of family members and friends in the stands rose to their feet to applaud as the Golden Grads passed down the aisle.

Among the 800+ graduates of 2002 was Sarah Ellen Gagnon of Davis Island. Although not so colorfully arrayed, she looked very happy as she received her B.A. diploma from USM's College of Arts and Sciences. Congratulations, Sarah!

Happened to see in the several papers a notice, "Star Party in Edgecomb," a gathering of the Central Maine Astronomical Society at the home of Greig Perkins on the McKay Road. So, on the spur of the moment, we wandered over. The occasion was the conjunction of Venus and Mars, passing seemingly very near to one another. Telescopes ranging in size of lens from 6 inches to 13 were arranged, all aimed at the western skyline. Not quite dark when we got there, but the planets were blazingly brilliant. One CMAS member let us see Saturn through his telescope. The rings were very distinct. Later, in Greig's small geodesic observatory, we were able to see Jupiter with four of its moons. The CMAS invites one and all to its meetings. They rotate among Perkins' "Telescope Park" in Edgecomb, a Damariscotta River Association location, and the Bower Observatory in North Whitefield. If you are interested in participating, or joining, contact numbers are 586-5111 or 882-6502; the group's website is http://clary.gwi.net/cmas.

To bring my feet back down to Edgecomb's earth: The two questionnaires about the Bypass and the future of the Town Hall and/or the Eddy School which have been included in the Town Report do not allow for more than one respondent. You can write "2 respondents" (or however many) at the top of each sheet; or you can get extra copies from the Town Clerk. All respondents should be voting residents of the town.

And, if you are changing political party, or returning to one after a lapse, don't forget to re-register by Thursday, May 23rd, if you wish to vote in the June 11th party primaries (Republican, Democrat, Green Independent), another errand you can click off your "do it" list when you visit the Town Hall. Office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and the phone number is 882-7018.

However, party or no party, anyone can vote on the referendum questions on the ballot.

Last column before the Edgecomb town election, Friday, May 17, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., and the Town Meeting, starting 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18! Looking forward to seeing you all there! I am coming in my charette (more about the May 14 meeting next column) from 234 River Road, bonesukl@midcoast.com, and 633-2978.