Lights, camera, action! The independent film "Mrs. Worthington's Party," will be playing at the Lincoln Theatre Dec. 17, 20, 22, 23 and 27, all at 7:00 p.m. Its director and writer, David Wall, has won the Best Director award at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival early last month. Its cinematographer and editor is Beecher Cotton, who grew up in Edgecomb and graduated from Lincoln Academy! His parents, Jack and Joanne, live on Salt Cove Road off the River Road. Salud!
At L. A.'s Remembrance for Howie Ryder last Sunday, we were deeply touched by the song about a father's love composed, played and sung by Tyler Richards, son of Tammy on the River Road. A very poignant tribute. Then, when we toured the completed Ryder Science Wing, I noted with pleasure that its landscaping was done by Dennis Anderson and others of the Anderson Nurseries on Route 1.
I hope local schools' art teachers are aware of the coming Conservation Poster Contest! Any public, private or home school student, grades K-12, is invited to participate. The 2007 poster theme is "Conservation's Power," which will highlight alternative energy sources: solar, wind, bio-fuels and other alternative fuels, renewable and non-renewable resources. Sponsored by the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, the deadline for poster entries is January 31, 2007. Judging will be in early February. Criteria for judging are the conservation message itself, visual effectiveness, originality and universal appeal. Students, parents and teachers can see the contest rules and entry forms at stewardship.nacdnet.org. Or contact Fletcher Meyers, coordinator of the contest, at 273.2005, extension 106, to arrange a classroom presentation or receive more information about the contest.
When I went through the Wiscasset Honors achievers last week, I left out Dotti Cost, a sophomore at Wiscasset HS who has received Highest Honors, currently taking all honors classes, and her brother Rick, a seventh grader at Wiscasset Middle School, who has received all A's and B's. Well done, Cost siblings! And thank you, Barry Hathorne, for alerting me to my omissions.
The Maine Forest Service is looking for nominations for the 2007 Maine Register of Big Trees. Deadline is December 31. Contact Project Canopy at 1-800-367-0223 or visit www.projectcanopy.org to see the 2005 register. My constant nominee is "The Edgecomb Elm" which graces McKay Road.
Kristy Barter on McKay Road invites one and all to come and taste wine to help the Harbor Children's Center raise money for a sprinkler system which is required equipment in order for the Center to continue in operation. This event will be at the Center, 93 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, this coming Sunday, Dec. 17, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Our condolences to Bobsie Dudley-Thompson and her family for the loss of her mother, Marion "Monnie" Cary. Let us also salute the passing of Keith Barter on the River Road. Our deepest sympathies to his family.
And, Lee Smith tells me, an ex-Edgecombite has passed. Dr. Helen Denham, who lived on the Clifford Road, has just died in New York. She was active in the Community Club and UU Fellowship and commuted to Togus Hospital where she was on staff. Her daughters Caroline, Joy, and Megan have all lived in Edgecomb at one time.
The Edgecomb Congo Thrift Shop will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until Christmas, and they plan another turkey and potluck lunch in the week before the holiday. Call Louise Hardina, 563-5236, if you want to contribute food. The shop will be closed the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Watch this space for winter hours, etc. Likewise, the Church's Children's Playgroup will not be meeting Thursdays December 21 and 28. It will resume activities in January 2007! Call Gail Boudin at 882-7972 with any questions.
I am reminded that the Town Office has copies of the Property Tax and Rent Refund Program for Maine residents. You may qualify if you do not have a spouse or dependant(s) and your 2005 household income was $77,000 or less or if you have a spouse and/or dependant(s) and your household income in 2005 was $102,000 or less. And, if your 2005 property tax was more than 4% of that year's household income, or if the rent you paid in 2005 was more than 20% of your household income. If you think you qualify, call the Town Office, 882-7018, during these hours: Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Registrations are open for three Boothbay Region Community College spring semester courses: ENG 101, College Writing and MAT 100, Intermediate Algebra will be held at Boothbay Region High School while SOC 101, Introduction to Sociology, will be offered at Lincoln Academy. To register, call 755-5292 or 1-800-891-2002, ext. 292, or go online at www.cmcc.edu. For more information contact Randall Lee, Dean of Student Services at rlee@cmcc.edu or 1-800-891-2002, ext. 253.
Wildly wrapping packages, getting lost in the tape and ribbon at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.