Hey, Edgecomb technocrats! Want to go Geocaching? The Boothbay Region Land Trust is gathering people interested in Global Positioning Systems this very noontide at the Singing Meadows Preserve on Cross Point Road. Somewhere out there, they've sequestered a mysterious "treasure," and people are invited to look for it, and learn about GPS at the same time. If you have a GPS receiver, by all means bring it, but don't let its lack stop you from participating in this most interesting new way to thread your way through a midsummer nature preserve! Be sure, however, to bring lunch! Call BRLT, 633-4818 or www.bbrlt.org for more information. For more on geocaching, try www.geocaching.com.
Check out my neighbor Susie Stephenson's latest assortment of lively hooked rugs in "Form, Function and Fashion," a new exhibit by the Water Street Artists at the Stable Gallery on 26 Water Street. The opening reception will be August 10, from 5:007:00 p.m.
Welcome, Perseid Meteor Shower 2007! Stars! Stars! Stars! Coming to your segment of night sky from Sunday, Aug. 12 through early Monday, Aug. 13, peaking at around 1:00 a.m. This year, the moon, a mere new crescent, will not be an interference. The Sunday Telegram astronomy columnist says "You can expect more than 60 bright streaks per hour to pierce the sky, with one or two of those, called bolides, to light up the Earth and all your surroundings." But he doesn't say what a "bolide" is, so I turn to Mr. Webster et al., who say, "a bright, shooting meteor, especially one that explodes." That ought to topple you all out of your beds!
Did you catch Edgecomb's Broadband Internet Committee on MNPR last Thursday night? Reporter Barbara Cariddi interviewed them and Selectman Stuart Smith for a "Maine Things Considered" segment on Maine's rural telecommunications status. You may be able to see the interview by way of www.mnpr.org (in this area we can get the station best on 90.5 Portland or 90.1 Camden). To see what the various options may be, go to the State of Maine website, for the Public Advocate Office, www.maine.gov/meopa, and look for their Ratewatcher Telecom Guide. I am indebted to the Committee for this tip, as I would never have thought of looking under Public Advocate! Ah, bureaucracy!
One item you might want to check out, if you qualify for any type of public assistance, you probably also qualify for Lifeline telephone service. This service can provide a significant discount on your monthly telephone bill, or they can help you get a telephone line installed for only $10. Find out more from the above maine.gov website, or call 287-2445, or e-mail wayne.r.jortner@maine.gov
Last weekend we spent an exhilarating afternoon at Lloyd and Peg Hodgkins' in Jefferson at an informal unofficial reunion of the Lincoln Academy Class of 1952. Two Edgecombites among the class members, Frank Richards and Herb Reed (now living in Florida), as well as Bruce, an ex-Bristolite. Other Edgecombites there were Bob Reed, Herb's brother, L.A. ‘51 and me, L.A. ‘53. As we stood around with beer and wine in hand, the storm we'd been hearing about all day from the national weather bureau passed us, pelting down rain as it sailed over our heads, took about 20 minutes all told. From the shelter of our several pavilions, we all sang out "Hurrah!," so glad were we to get cool! Then we held a moment of silence in tribute to six members of the Class of ‘52 who have passed on. Afterwards, we plunged into a feast of lobster, steak, roast chicken, corn on the cob and other suitable accompaniments. Wending our way home in the early evening, Bruce shared with me his happiness to have reconnected with so many people he once knew so well, some of whom he had not seen for the full 50 years! Thanks so much, Lloyd and Peg!
Singing the old school song at 234 River Road, 633-2978, jocam@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.