Only a handful of people came to the first Public Information Meeting for the Planning Board's preview of amendments to the Edgecomb Land Use Ordinance, but they were a good handful, with constructive criticisms. One possibly prickly question: Should Edgecomb plan for an industrial park? Briefly, the amendments will form a new section, #6, titled Large Scale Development, under Article 3, Special Standards and Overlay Districts. They comprise a set of performance standards to apply to the Size Standards article, 4.14 under Article 5, which "limits the size of big box stores..." which the Town voted in last May. Building appearance, parking, landscaping, lighting, screening, outdoors sales areas, pedestrian walkways, building re-use, and location within the community are the details to be honed into final shape by the time of the Public Hearing, Saturday, March 24
The second Public Information Meeting is next Thursday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m.. We certainly hope for better weather! Last Saturday, the day was sunny and fine, but the Town Hall parking lot could qualify as a Great Pond.
Also, next Thursday, we are all invited to discuss the Future of the Damariscotta River at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be a truly public forum on how to preserve the river's beauty and productivity. Call the Damariscotta River Association at 563-1393 or dra@draclt.org for info and please plan to come to this important event, of particular importance to us East Siders!
Is Edgecomb a poetic spot on Earth or not? Young Alex Graves, son of Eric and Sharolyn Graves of Cross Point Road, has been awarded this year's Bowler Poetry Prize. This nation-wide award was established by her parents in memory of Ann Arlyss Bowler, a poet who died as a teenager, to encourage other young poets. It is administered through Read Magazine and the Weekly Reader Corporation. Thousands of poems are submitted each year. As a winner, Alex will receive an engraved medal and a cash prize of $100. In addition, his poem, "Kayak," will be published in the May issue of Read.
Alex is an eighth grader at the Center for Teaching and Learning, and will be moving on to Lincoln Academy. Besides kayaking and writing poetry, he also likes to snowboard. His favorite poets are William Carlos Williams and Billy Collins.
I have received another inquiry about The Edgecomb Woodcarver, Bill Clisby, and his duck carvings, from a man in Bedford, Mass. Nice to know Mr. Clisby's products are still swirling around out there, bringing unexpected pleasure to people! If anyone who knew Mr. Clisby when he lived in Edgecomb, or knows where he might be found these days, cares to call me, I can pass any information on to this latest inquirer! Thanks!
The Edgecomb Congo Thrift Store's winter hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. On Tuesdays at noon they serve lunch! No charge, but if you would like to contribute to the meal, food is welcome. Just now they are clearing out winter inventory: sweaters, coats, possibly warm boots ( although those will be an on-going necessity!) They are still asking for donations of towels and bedding, particularly pillows, for the Bread of Life Ministries Homeless Shelter.
The Soup Group is gearing up for another take-out Sunday supper for March 18. Your choice of chicken noodle or vegetarian tomato vegetable soup, both made from scratch, accompanied by Irish pan rolls and apple crisp. All profits from the Soup Group will go toward the Heifer International ARK Fund. Place your order by Sunday, March 11. You can pick it up at the church between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. on March 18. Delivery can be arranged. $6.00 per serving, or family portion for four, $20.00, with additional servings at $4.00 each. To reserve, call Debbie Boucher at 882-8402 or the church at 882-4060 and leave a message.
Speaking of Lake Edgecomb as we were above, the Town Hall has experienced another flooding of its basement, this time confined to the kitchen, surging in past Gail Boudin and crew's feet as they were preparing refreshments for Madine Nichols' Memorial Service last Saturday. Our friendly plumber advises that it is groundwater, swelling up from under the huge percolation from melting snow and ice. This is a relief, as who wants to replace a boiler in mid-winter? Particularly out of Town funds. However, it came into the kitchen from under the smaller of the two electric stoves, so caution is advised, if any person or organization has a need to heat things up. The stove to the right seemed to be dry beneath, as I poked about with a yardstick.
Has anyone taken out nomination papers for the various Town offices yet? Filing deadline April 3. Just singing the worried song. Oh, and Sunday, March 11, we spring ahead to Daylight Savings Time. Be there!
Performing Olympics-quality figure 8s on the parking lot at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.
Kayak
I climb onto the small
yellow back of a dragon.
Its wings stroke through
thick air as we take off.
We glide weightlessly
over the lake.
When a gust of wind flips us,
Underneath
I release from the dragon's embrace.
and break through the surface.
grab hold of its wings,
and climb back on.
—Alex Graves
