All hale the Autumnal Equinox! The Special Town Meeting about density issues on Davis Island, in light of the TIF District and the public water and sewer, as well as several other issues, is over, look for a full report in next week's papers, and also on the Edgecomb website (see my sign off below).
Where are Sachi and Rocco? These two small fawn-colored dogs have been missing from Middle Road, Edgecomb, since Sept. 9. Anyone who has seen them or who has an idea of their whereabouts, please call 882-4000 or 882-9446. Their family is broken-hearted at their loss.
There is so such a thing as a free lunch! The Edgecomb Congregational Thrift Shop volunteers hold it every Tuesday! Come in and browse while you munch! The Shop's fall hours are every Tuesday and Thursday (no lunch) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Clothing, books and a variety of household items are available. If you want to donate small furniture items, do not drop them off. Instead, call the Church, 882-4060, and let them come over to inspect what you have. They will only accept clean items in good condition. A large share of the store's profits is donated to different local helping agencies. For instance, one specific need, bath towels to outfit the homeless shelter in Augusta.
Alas, the Town Hall Book Exchange must close its shelves. Space and time limitations are forcing us to end this little light-hearted service to our residents. Come while the books are still at the Hall, and take what you want. Any remainders we will turn over to the Thrift Shop.
Tonight, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., the Water Street Artists of the September Jazz exhibit at The Stable Gallery, 26 Water Street, Damariscotta, will be giving a gallery talk about their work in textiles, furniture marquetry, metal sculpture made from evocative found pieces, and other interesting twists on art! One of this group of artists is Susie Stephenson from our River Road!
Inanna is coming! Inanna is coming! This gifted all-woman group of African-style drummers will be performing at the Edgecomb Eddy School on September 29 at 6:30 p.m.. It's a Parent Teacher Club fund raiser, tickets are $10/Adults, $6/Seniors, $6/ages 13-18, Free up to age 12. Tickets can be bought at the School office.
More school news: Ann Poole of the PTC, Dawn Garey, 2d grade teacher, and divers others are planning a new extra-curricular activity for kids: The Edgecomb Explorers, to examine the exciting history, geography, and other aspects of Our Home Towne! Naturally, Fort Edgecomb is high on their list. But what about the Rosicrucian Spring? What about granite quarries and mica mines? The ice industry, the brick yards? Who was Moses Davis? Where were the salt ponds? Any of you who have lore to share or an interesting spot on your property that you might invite the kids to see, please let the School know: 882-5515, attention Ms. Garey!
Be sure to let their elders know, too! The Edgecomb Historical Society dotes on undiscovered local lore and places! Next Thursday, Sept. 28, come ye all who can, and bring your $5.00, to the opening Membership meeting at 2:00 p.m. in the School's conference room. Our invited guest is Ms. Alison Carver of Pemaquid Harbor, who has been working up illustrations of the way Fort Charles, the 17th century predecessor to Fort William Henry, might have looked during its active days. She has been working with archaeologist Nick de Paoli, and researching verbal descriptions of the several Pemaquid forts in early explorers' and settlers' journals. We are also anticipating a surprise gift from publisher Mary Brewer!
Recently, actually a couple weeks ago, I got a frantic phone call from Rose-Marie Ballard Boak, that she and some other women were stymied by a wounded snapping turtle in the middle of Route 27, coming up the hill from Wiscasset toward the Town Hall. Might I call a game warden or someone? I tried a few numbers, then the Sheriff's Department, thank you, sirs, for heading me in the right direction! To the Animal Control Division of the State Police. In the meantime, the women had called Chewonki Institute, who have an animal recovery program. The State Police also called Chewonki. Meanwhile, back at the Route 27 hill, a truck driver stopped, who knew how to move the animal to the side of the road. You don't want to mess with snapping turtles, especially when injured! Their teeth are an integral part of their beaks, and once they bite, they hang on. This man, again, thank you, sir! got him a stout stick, held it in front of the turtle who lunged at it and hung on, and so was carried to the side of the road. Eventually the Chewonki experts arrived and removed it to their facility. The women had struck the turtle in such a way that its shell was cracked, and it was bleeding. The last I heard, it was expected to live, and the shell will eventually mend.
Loading a stout staff into the back of my car at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.