Curious about Co-Housing? On Sunday, Feb. 13, we are all invited to an open house by Midcoast Co-Housing of Edgecomb, in on the Salt Marsh Cove Road off the River Road. The site visit and lunch start at 12:00 noon. Soup and beverages will be provided; bring your own bread, cheese or fruit! For more information and directions, call 633-0417 or click on www.midcoastcohousing.com.
Welcome to the River Road, Jim and Linda Brown! Jim tells me, "We own the Upper Deck Café in the Harbor. My wife is a teacher at Bristol Consolidated School." The Upper Deck Café entered the recent Chili and Chowder Challenge at the Camden Snow Bowl, and came away with Second Place for their Firehouse Chili! Since this was a blind tasting (no ID on the several vats of chili), this was a respectable showing for a newcomer!
On Wednesday, Feb. 2, Sue Carlson, Andy Abello and I, three members of the Fort Edgecomb Bicentennial Committee, met to determine the following items:
It was agreed that the Bicentennial celebration should be spread over the course of the year 2008-2009, with events scheduled like beads on a chain. Each event should be of a specific nature, its organization both finite and manageable by a small group of people, for a period of intense activity, then able to sag back into the landscape and/or re-generate their enthusiasm for another event later on.
It was further agreed that we need to establish the costing out of the Bicentennial, both in large and in small portions, for the purpose of going after grants. This requires having specific projects well spelled out, with component needs and their probable costs researched as well as possible. For instance, how much will it cost to clothe a dancer in dress appropriate to the early 19th century ? What is a reasonable honorarium for a history lecturer, with board and travel for those from far away? Where and for how much might we get enough pewter (Arnel metal, more likely) mugs for a festive banquet, that the banqueters could take home as souvenirs? Printing costs for a sheet of broadside ballads?
We discussed the future of The Friends of Fort Edgecomb, and ideas about reviving the volunteer spirit in the town of Edgecomb around Our Fort! And we spent a moment of silence in memory of Nick Dean.
For which, while I am on the subject, I ask forgiveness from the Dean family for getting a date wrong last column. The memorial service will be held Sunday, February 19, 2:00 p.m., in the Edgecomb Town Hall.
Brandon Zak of the Fort Road has done well in the final swim meet of the season, a 3-town meet among his alma mater Wiscasset HS, Lincoln Academy, and Belfast on Jan. 28. He won the 200 Intermediate Medley in 2:29 and placed third in the 100 freestyle in 1:00, as well as winning the 50 free race in 26.31 and placing second in the 100 free in 1:00 in the Jan. 21 meet against Lewiston.
Enthusiastic review by Nancy Grape of Van Reid's "Fiddler's Green" in the Maine Sunday Telegram last Sunday. The indispensible passe-partout Sundry Moss falls in love! The action revolves around the rescue and safety of another little waif, this time the girl who first appeared in "Mrs. Roberto....".
A possible location for the Ross Field I mentioned last time: Nancy Hartley of Newcastle called, to say there is an ancient cemetery with 18th century graves down Pleasant Street, which leaves the River Road at the site of the Newcastle town offices, and winds down to the river. In addition to soldiers' graves from the 1770s, there are several unmarked field stones which may be even older grave markers.
Gathering stones and casting them away at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.