A new citizens' action committee has formed, in the wake of uncertainty about the Dragon Cement attempt to buy FP&L's Mason Station in Wiscasset. The Stewards Of the Sheepscot (SOS) will focus on the best possible economic, environmental, and aesthetic use of the Mason Station property for the benefit of Wiscasset and the wider Sheepscot region. Meetings are scheduled for Wednesdays Oct. 7, 15, and 29 in the Wiscasset Municipal Building's Hearing Room at 7:00 p.m. For more information, write to Stewards of the Sheepscot, POB 760, Wiscasset ME 04578, or reach Friends of Coastal Preservation at www.friendsofcoastalpreservation.com. Edgecomb residents, call Harbormaster Stott Carleton, 882.6931.

The Friends of Fort Edgecomb's last encampment of 2003, "A Close Encounter," since it will be held at the home of Bill and Lynda Close in Norway ME, will convene the weekend of Oct. 4-5. For more information, call FOFE President Matt Dunn, 377-5335. The group will continue to meet monthly at the Sheepscot River Inn. The next meeting is November 5 at 7:00 p.m. For re-enactor costumers, FOFE holds sewing sessions the first Sunday of each month. Again, inquire of Matt Dunn.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Andy Abello on the loss of his mother, Lydia Crosswell Abello. A funeral service was held at St. Patrick's church Monday, Sept. 29. Memorial contributions may be made to The New Church at St. Patrick's.

And at the same time, let us express our greatest joy for the wedding of his and Amanda's younger son Pete Abello to Amanda Jamison, manager of the Morris Farm. The ceremony will be held at St. Patrick's on Saturday, Oct. 11.

"Cakes for the Queen of Heaven," an 8-session program exploring women's religious history, kicks off at the Edgecomb Town Hall this Friday evening, Oct. 3, from 6 to 9 pm. This course of study is sponsored by the Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. For details, call Phyllis Loney, 529-2310.

Edgecomb news shorts: Opened up my newly arrived catalogue from the Mystery Guild, and what ho! Lea Wait's second "Shadows" mystery is a featured item! Way to go, Lea! . . . Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc. of Edgecomb will be cracking the Asia chemical, industrial and oceanographic markets shortly. . . . Phyllis McQuaide on Shore Road will be performing the role of "Julia" in the Lincoln County Community Theatre's production of "Lend Me a Tenor," starting this Friday, Oct. 3 for a two-weekend run. Call 563-3424 about tickets.

Congratulations, Ed Speed! He has completed the requirements for Eagle Scout. A BSA ceremony honoring the current cadre of Eagles will take place on in November, according to his mother, Martha Speed.

Meanwhile, many girls have been signing up for Girl Scouts in Edgecomb. Midcoast Manager Beth Langton is hoping to have all levels of the GSA available for Edgecomb this year. Daisies are for kindergarten girls; Brownies, grades 1-3; Junior Girl Scouts, grades 4-6, Cadettes, grades 7-9, and Senior Girl Scouts, grades 10-12. The Kennebec Council provides free training for parents or other adults who would like to be Girl Scout Leaders or help in other ways. Ms. Langton can be reached at 882-6194 or at resource@clinic.net to sign up your daughters or to volunteer.

On Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., yours truly will be manning a Memory Well booth at The Rising Tide's "Uncommon Grounds Fair," a community festival to celebrate the Food Co-op's 25th Anniversary. I will be collecting your reminiscences of your early experiences with the food buying clubs that evolved into this store-front co-op, and the developing of the store itself. Paper and writing implements provided, or you can drop a telephone number in the pot, for me to call you for an interview.