She won! Robin MacCready won the Edgar! Robin, who teaches Language Arts in the Edgecomb Eddy School, has been awarded the Edgar Allen Poe Best Young Adult Mystery for 2007 for her novel, "Buried.." This award, sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America, was bestowed upon Robin at a banquet April 26 in New York City. It is seldom given to a first-time published author, so we can be doubly proud, since "Buried" is Robin MacCready's first book. Many more to come, I am sure!
Congratulations and Welcome, Lisa Clarke, who is taking over from retiring Joanne Krawic as Dean of Students at the Edgecomb Eddy School. Her past experiences include creating a science department from scratch for the Westwood International School in Botswana. She was also the former Eddy School's interim principal during the 1987-88 school year.
Hang in there, Mariah! I'm impressed by the Wiscasset Middle School who have raised over $700 from their April car washes toward young Mariah Wright's medical expenses. They've done many other truly inventive fundraisers to assist her. Tonight, May 10, at 7:00 p.m., join the school to enjoy its annual variety show, when a check will presented to the Wright family. Anyone who wishes to contribute further should send checks or money orders c/o The Mariah Wright Fund at Wiscasset Middle School, 83 Federal Street, Wiscasset ME 04578.
Important dates for the pre-schoolers among us: If you are on the cusp of Kindergarten, please come next Monday, May 14, with parents, to the Edgecomb Eddy's Kindergarten Visiting Day! And note that Monday, May 21 is for Kindergarten Screening. For more information, call the school at 882-5515.
Let us salute the passing of Peter Russell of Damariscotta, Amanda Russell's father. Our deepest condolences to her and her entire family. A memorial service is planned for late summer.
The Damariscotta Farmer's Market is opening May 18, on the Damariscotta River Association's grounds on Belvedere Road, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Fridays through October.
The new Edgecomb General Store is open, on Route 1, (where sculptor Gil Whitman once had a studio). Owners David and Jennifer Bryer will provide eat-in and take-out soups, sandwiches, an ice cream parlor and coffee bar, old-time and new candies, homemade pastries, hard goods and gifts and much much more. A good place to chill out, or warm up, as needs be.
Edgecomb's Town Election will be Friday, May 18, 1:00 to 7:00 p.m.; our Town Meeting will be Saturday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or whenever we stop, both events at the Edgecomb Town Hall. You will find on the premises for both days a traveling exhibit about the Maine Department of Transportation's Gateway I Project, with handouts available. Representatives from the Gateway I Project and its local Steering Committee members Blythe Edwards and Jo Cameron will be at the Monday, June 4, joint Planning Board/Selectmen's meeting, 6:30 p.m..
Important Town Meeting News in re next year's budget and services: Go to www.Edgecomb.org. Click on "Selectmen's Page," and go to the Minutes which are lined up on the right side. Down-arrow the top (2007) minutes to April 9, hit "Go." Scroll down those minutes to the Appendix, which is a worst-case scenario for the 2007-2008 Town of Edgecomb budget.
Edgecomb's claim to FEMA for April's tremendous storm damage is on the books at $34,769.13. If anyone with muscles, chainsaw and truck is looking for a mitzvah opportunity, you might ask any of your neighbors with serious tree damage if they'd like you to clear it away, cut big logs into firewood, etc. I'm thinking particularly of the huge tree down on the Quinns' Eddy/Cross Point corner, but there are others in need of similar help.
Saturday, May 12, a workshop on Seed Starting at Morris Farm, for beginner gardeners! 9:00 a.m. to noon. Call Morris Farm, 882.4080 or www.morrisfarm.org for fees, information, etc.
Bring your mommas May 12 evening, starting at 5:00 p.m., to a Spaghetti Dinner at the Edgecomb Congregational Church, to benefit "The Soup Group," area children working to raise $5,000 to purchase a Heifer International "Ark." That is, a number of farm animals and agricultural supplies for families in need throughout the world, to help them gain a measure of food and financial independence. The supper is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children. Reservations are not needed.
As I am sure will come as no surprise to anyone, the Eternal Bypass DEIS has been delayed another month. In the meantime, someone has come up with an underwater alternative, a system of causeways and 1,000-foot tunnel to emerge as a ramp onto the Davey Bridge, thus satisfying Edgecomb's firm position that the Bypass must land on Davis Island. My spouse thinks this is a good and workable idea. I worry about the fate of Edgecomb's submerged water and sewer lines, plus protests from highly irritated Sheepscot salmon and sturgeons, not to mention the worms, clams and lobsters, also their respective hunter/gatherers. I cringe most at the hundreds of years it will take for yet another Environmental Impact Statement
Looking into the cost of a helicopter for running errands from 234 River Road, 633-2978, jocam@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org..