I'm home from haunt of moose and loon! Only three days, but fabulous! We met our friends Dave and Idaherma Williams, botanist and artist from Princeton NJ, for a picnic supper at their campsite in Lily Lake State Park. We talked into the night, listening to loons as the sun went down. The next day we all climbed aboard a small seaplane for an overview tour of Moosehead Lake, including the spectacular cliff of Mt. Kineo. After lunch and a brief hike to an overlook above our motel, we spent the evening on Moose Safari in a very comfortable covered pontoon punt. After taking us to the 730-foot Mt. Kineo cliff face, the largest deposit of flint in the world, so close we could have touched it! -- our youthful but highly capable guide pushed the craft into the most incredible network of waterways within the northern end of the Lake. In the sporadic rain and mist, we were able to see five moose, one a very young calf, its golden baby hair still present along its legs and belly. It gleamed as it scrambled up the bank after Momma. We saw a couple of deer and two great grey herons. Wood ducks were taking off and splashing down along the banks. All of this was followed by a festive banquet at the resort which hosted the moose expedition. A lot to pack into one day, but we enjoyed it all!
From left: Barry Johnston, Fire Chief; Laurel Dunn; Jim Davis, state park ranger for the park; Sharon Stone (partially obscured); and Matt Dunn' president of Friends of Fort Edgecomb.
The Friends of Fort Edgecomb and the Fort Edgecomb State Park staff honored Edgecomb Fire Chief Barry Johnston on Sunday, August 8, at 11:00 a.m. (Apologies, there was a glitch in the Saturday arrangements.) FOFE President Matthew Dunn presented the Chief with a plaque, citing his and his Department's long-standing support and assistance in safety arrangements for the historic re-enactment group which makes Fort Edgecomb its central focus. Ranger Jim Davis presented Barry with a crystalline award on behalf of the Maine State Parks Department. Among those applauding were Laurel Dunn and children Tim and Curtis, Mike and Sharon Stowe from Shawmut, Russ and Ann Rybka with children Ryan and Krystyna from North Yarmouth.
TONIGHT! From 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, come to the second public information meeting about the Tax Increment Financing District proposed to enable public water and sewer for the Sheepscot River Inn complex and environs.
Saturday, August 14, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., the Edgecomb Congregational Church invites you to a classic New England baked bean and casserole supper to benefit the Eldercare Network of Lincoln County. Eldercare provides housing and are for elderly persons at Hodgdon Green in Damariscotta, six other Village Care homes, and the new Edgecomb Eddy School Apartments! Adults $6.00, children under 12, $3.00
Dedication of the Zak Preserve, 202 acres which encompass Wildcat Creek, is planned for Thursday, August 19. Call the Boothbay Region Land Trust, 633-4919 or www.bbrlt.org for details. The Zak Preserve straddles the Edgecomb/Boothbay boundary. It contains both open fields and a tidal wetland fed by a freshwater stream. Endowment funds for its future maintenance are being sought.
Lea Wait's third Maggie Summer Antique Prints mystery is out! "Shadows on the Ivy" sends Maggie into the wilds of Academia back in her native New Jersey. Lea's new juvenile, "Wintering Well," is set in 1819-20 Woolwich and Wiscasset. It will be released later on this month. She will be signing and reading from her books at Bookland in Brunswick from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. this Sunday. Watch this space for further book news!
Enjoying the occasional sun among the rain drops at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.
