On March 1, four mid-coast congregations are coming together to benefit the Seeds of Peace Camp in Otisfield by producing an authentic Middle Eastern banquet, at the 2d Congregational Church in Newcastle, starting at 6:00 pm. The program will feature Middle Eastern poetry and music, and the video "Peace of Mind" that has been produced by Seeds of Peace campers. In this world of seemingly intractable hatreds and suspicions, it should give us all pride to know that Mainers are trying! For reservations and information, call Andy Burt at 882-6848, but hurry! Tickets are limited.

Know ye that on Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m., Edgecomb author Van Reid will be speaking to the Lincoln County Historical Association at the Courthouse Communications Center in Wiscasset. His Lincoln County novel Peter Loon, set in the turbulent times following the American Revolution, makes the journey from Sheepscot to Wiscasset an epic trek, beset by dangers. Come to hear Van's epic trek, discovering the roles of itinerant preachers of several faiths, renegade Europeans playing "noble savage," and the tensions between land squatters, often mustered out Revolution veterans, and the "neo-feudal" aristocracy burgeoning in the Fedral period.

Also on March 2, attention, Edgecomb members and/or equity holders of The Rising Tide food co-op: From 3 to 7 pm, join the Tide at its annual meeting at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle. After the business meeting which will include the election of new board of director members, Krista King will speak to the group about the Slow Food Movement (of which Bruce and I are enthusiastic followers, if not actually members!) Potluck dinner will follow. For information, call R.T. at 563-5556.

Last Saturday was the second Planning Board informational meeting about changes to the Edgecomb Comprehensive Plan to conform to findings of the Route 27 Corridor study. One point of debate to think about: Allowing lot sizes of less than 2 acres, to create density pockets in appropriate places, such as along Route 27 between McKay and Middle Roads. The Public Hearing on these changes will be Thursday, March 20, at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall. Meanwhile, you ought to get a glimpse of the impressive GIS maps which the Town has had made by the Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association. There are six of them, showing everything from property lot lines to soil types to natural habitats to shoreland zoning. They can be viewed on the Town website, www.edgecomb.org, or reference copies can be consulted in the Town offices.

Reflected Glory, Athletic Division: Recently, a Portland Press Herald article following the success of Katy Sibley, the Boothbay Harbor HS women's basketball captain, noted in passing that her grandmother, nee Ruth Sherman, had done likewise for Lincoln Academy in the late ‘20s. Ruth was born in Edgecomb in 1909, and attended the City School. Thanks to Carroll Dinsmore in Newcastle and Marion Swift at L.A., I attach a few photographs of Ruth in various stages of her youth. For more on Ms. Sibley, see articles elsewhere in this issue. But considering the strides that have been made in women's sports, including the new professional basketball league, I also attach a hearty Well Done! to the several generations of athletic women who have fought hard to earn a place in our admirations! Keep up the good work!

Even if you have no other reason to visit Miles Memorial Hospital, do take advantage of the art exhibits they present in their main lobby. Just now, Mill Road artist Joan Taylor is the featured attraction, with her Chinese brush-technique Meditations in Ink. Take meditative delight in her minimalist plum boughs and other Spring-evoking subjects! The exhibit runs through April 4.

A postcard came from Salem State College in Massachusetts, promoting an exhibit of Quilts by Gayle Fraas and Duncan Slade of the River Road. If you expect to be in the Greater Boston area between now and March 20, stop in at the College's Winfisky Gallery in the Ellison Campus Center.

Meanwhile, collecting willow and forsythia to force, I write from 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in The Boothbay Register, The Lincoln County News, The Wiscasset Newspaper, and at www.Edgecomb.org.