Town News for Calais, Baring, Meddybemps, Alexander School, Princeton, Grand Lake Stream, Alexander/Crawford
Photo Princeton Bike winner: D. Storey. (Submitted photo).
Calais
Sharon Frost
454-3339
New Moon on the 26th.
Songbirds love to eat magnolia seeds, which are surrounded by bright red coverings called arils that are high in fat.
Earth Day is April 22nd. It is a day to remember that the air, water and earth around us are our responsibility. Lets work together to keep them clean.
April 24th is the birthday of Robert B. Thomas, founder of The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
What a tragic fire in St. George last week. I knew Esther and her husband growing up. They owned the Boyd’s Store on Main Street. I was in and out of that store many times a week. They sold penny candy and small items at a good price. The store was full of many other supplies. Now they are all together in peace. It wasn’t an easy life for Esther, having lost her husband 31 years ago. Heartfelt sympathy to all that knew her.
Deanne Jackson called me on Saturday. So glad to hear her voice. She hasn’t been feeling well but hopefully on the mend.
ECW met last Tuesday for a pot luck and meeting at Patsy Beckett’s home. It opened with prayer. Enjoyed some tasty dishes, cheeses, crackers, soup, cakes for dessert. We discussed several money making projects for the year. Cards sent out to the shut-ins. Mia and Sadie are working hard doing fund raisers for the National Youth Event.
All excited to see Matt Linton’s concert on May 13th at Second Baptist Church. He is the best.
Easter breakfast was enjoyed at Baring Baptist on Sunday morning. They passed out treats and bunnies to the small tots. Easter Cantata followed the breakfast.
CRH Breakfast Club will meet at the Wickachee on Wednesday, April 26 at 7:00 a.m.
Mark your calendars for St. Ann’s yard sale on April 28 and 29th. Lots of great items and also new ones.
St. Anne’s baked bean public supper is on Friday April 21st.
Cut the Cake: Phillip Gibson, Bruce Bailey, Marty Colson, Suzette Scott, Jim Doten, Ethen Phillips, Dana Johnson, Wayne Sammer, John Nixon, Cassidy Carr.
Stains: Coffee on a tablecloth, rinse area with cold water, treat with a mixture of one part white vinegar to three parts water. Rinse with water and toss in washing machine. Comes out as good as new.
Red wine on a blouse: Grab the salt shaker, pour a generous amount over the stain, let sit for a minute, then scrape away the grains and rinse.
The Sunday morning Wickachee Coffee Group enjoyed some delightful home made lemon squares by Joni Miller. Easter cupcakes and a basket of filled Easter eggs were passed out. A lovely breakfast was enjoyed by all with lots of coffee, thanks to Rick. A great Easter celebration.
Robbinston
Kathy Mekelburg
454-0654
On April 10 the Robbinston Grange held another planning meeting. They decided to hold a Spring Fling Craft Fair at the Calais Elementary School on May 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you would like to participate call Debbie at 904-9658. It was decided also to confer the Subordinate Degrees on seven new members on May 13.
The Sewall Memorial Congregational Church re-opened for Palm Sunday last week. On Easter the service was at 7:00 a.m. followed by a light brunch. Judy Dean and Barbara Windhorst came to augment the choir. Judy Dean sand a solo, “I Know That My Redeemer Livith” by Handel. This Sunday the time will revert to 4:00 p.m.
Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Florence Russell.
Last month, Martha Bricket was elected Town Clerk. Are you confused about which person to see, Cathy Footer or Martha? Martha’s duties are dog licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, ATV, boat, snowmobile regs, elections, vital statistics (birth, death, marriage records). Cathy is the one to see if you want to register your car, current real estate taxes, liens, garbage set-up and billing, payroll, accounts payable. The hours the town office is open is the same, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Mondays and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Their number is 454-3220.
Meddybemps
Linda Baniszeski
Happy Birthday wishes to Pete Frost on April 20, Bruce Bailey - 22, and Gary Garnier - 24.
By now everyone has probably recovered from their big Easter meals and all of the candy. My sisters always froze most of their childrens’ candy to be dispersed gradually for a long time to come after the holiday.
Barry and Scuffy have returned from Pennsylvania after our Easter celebrations with family there and follow-up scans and visits with my cancer doctors at University of Pennsylvania. I am blessed to have been cancer free for nearly 6 years now. While there, we were able to spend time with our relatives who are Meddybemps camp owners and their families, the Lentzs and Gilberts.
After Easter I flew to South Carolina for a week’s visit with my sister and her husband. It was with great apprehension that I went without Scuffy. It is, as yet, not clear whether Scuffy or I will experience the greater attack of separation anxiety. This is the first time in 5-1/2 years that Scuffy and I have been separated overnight. She usually travels with me most everywhere, near and far. Barry and Scuffy will pick me up at Bangor Airport on April 25.
The deadline for tickets to Calais Hospital’s 100th Anniversary Gala is April 21. Get them at the hospital reception desk right inside the front door. $35 for a single ticket; $60 per couple. There will be appetizers, dinner, door prizes and drawings, music and dancing.
Please send your news to LBaniszeski@myfairpoint.net or phone 454-3719.
Baring
Sally Doten
454-2625
Hello! I hope you all enjoyed the Easter holiday with family and friends. I did not cook!! Jim and I accompanied by daughter Beth and grandson Dale Wunder went to the “Nook & Cranny” for a delicious buffet. It was so much easier for them to do the cooking than me. I think I’m getting lazy in my old age.
Congratulations to the Baring kids that made the honor roll: Katie & Emily Erskine; Kaylie, Emily, & Alexis Doten, and Kylee Pelletier. Good work by great kids.
Easter break from school means vacations. Mark, Brenda, and Jacob Hornbrook enjoyed a cruise out of Florida. Not to be outdone, Fred, Tina, Emily, and Katie Erskine enjoyed a visit to Disney World. Sorry to tell you folks, but Monday means back to work.
Sympathy is extended to the family of Ruthie Baker Doten. Ruthie passed away Sunday at her home. She knit many infant hats for the maternity wing at Calais Regional Hospital. Also, Edmund Cassidy passed away on Easter morning. Edmund grew up in Calais and was married to Teresa Clark. Ed was well liked by everyone he met. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
Did you know the “Cookie Monster” is alive and well and living in Baring. I’m sure this is true. Susan Casey told me her cookies disappeared shortly after being baked. I told her the same thing happened to me. I was cooling mine on the table when this monster (maybe two) arrived. Before I knew it cookies were missing. Today, it happened again; more cookies missing. My suspicion is that the monster isn’t a monster at all. I think he is “two” girls with an eye for sweets. Can anyone give me a hint of their identities?
I was sorry to hear that Neal Bohanon had to have his leg amputated. He has had problems with this for several years. Neal, I hope you’re feeling better and up and about.
I was thinking about the families that live here in town. And the one thing that kept standing out in my mind was the fact that I am one of the oldest originals. My dad was born here and after WWII (1945) he purchased a home from Frank Stevens on Front Street. My mom was so worried that they wouldn’t be able to keep up with the house payments....$15.00 a month. And that was before Dad was employed by the mill. Have times changed? Bet your house payments may be a mite higher today. My main point of this bit of history results in “me” being one of the oldest residents in town. There are a few ahead of me: Ruth Johnson, Evelyn Noddin, Pat Noddin, and Jim. And he turned 76 on Monday. I can’t quite grasp the fact that I am one of the oldest here. I swear I can’t remember getting this old, this fast.
Well, as Bugs Bunny used to say: “That’s all, folks!”
Princeton
Sandra Smith
The Princeton Library Committee held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 12. Librarian Heidi reported that there were 5 boxes of books, 6 audio books, 2 dvd’s, 4 puzzles and $3.00 donated to the library. Also there were 5 new library cards issued. She still is working on overdue items. If anyone has past due items, please bring them in or put them in the drop box. Our library is very small and if an item is not returned, it is difficult to replace it. We are getting warmer weather and looking to have the ceiling patched and painted, the old cement ramp removed and new signs set up. This Wednesday from 4:00 - 5:00 is the story hour. Heidi will read special spring stories about ducks and provide materials for a craft project about ducks.
The Princeton Parks and Recreation Committee and Fire Department held their second annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday from 10:00 - 11:30 am at the Fire Station. About forty children ages twelve and under hunted for eggs hidden in the station by Fire Chief Tony Ramsdell, PPRC members, Meredith McLaughlin and Jessica Cilley. After finding ten eggs, children were rewarded with a bag of treats, a special pencil, bubble stuff and snacks. Everyone enjoyed the snacks made by Jessica Cilley Twinkie/bunny cars; Melissa Cilley, Rice Krispy Treats made with melted peeps; and Monika Laney the always popular PB&J. The School House Restaurant donated decorated egg cookies and the Bellmard Inn coffee for the adults. Jan Campbell, one of Princeton’s new business entrepreneurs/owner of “Capture Life’s Moments” set up an area for studio style photos of the children with the Easter Bunny at no charge for digital photos. Special kudos to Colby Ryan who was willing to be the Easter Bunny. Finally, the Machias Savings Bank generously donated two bicycles, and all children attending filled out a ticket for the drawing. The two happy winners were Delilah Storey and Avery Phelps. Even the weather cooperated to make this another well appreciated town event.
A final reminder that on this Wednesday, April 19, at 1:00 p.m. at the Princeton Town Office conference room, the proposed Princeton Historical Society will be having an organizational meeting. John Dudley, from the Alexander Historical Society, will be our speaker and give ideas on how to organize and obtain possible grants. This is an opportunity to have a group and a place to preserve Princeton’s history. If you have any questions, please call me at 796-2261.
A reminder that the Spring Rabies Clinic is this Saturday, April 22 here in Princeton at the Town Office from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 am. If you miss that time there is another chance at Baileyville Fire Department 10:00-11:00am and the Calais Veterinary Clinic 3:00-4:00pm
The shots available are Rabies $14; DHLPP $24; Bordetella $23; Lyme $28; RVRCP $14; and Feline Leukemia $23 Note that: US Funds ONLY. NO checks or cards accepted. Cash only please. Make sure all dogs are on leashes and all cats are in carriers.
On Sunday, April 23 at noon at the Princeton Town Office Conference Room, there will be the second meeting for this season of the Princeton Farmers and Artisans Market. Please, if anyone is interested in having a space at the market, come to this very important meeting. At this point, there are not very many vendors and there is a possibility of not having a market.
Upcoming Activities
April 19 - Princeton Historical Society Organizational Meeting - 1:00 p.m. at the Princeton Town Office Conference Room
April 19 - Princeton Library Story Hour - 4:00-5:00 p.m.
April 22 - Spring Rabies Clinic - 8:30am-9:30am at the Princeton Town Office
April 23 - Princeton Farmers and Artisans Market Meeting - noon at the Princeton Town Office Conference Room
April 29 - North Woods 4-H Club Pancake Breakfast and Raffle - 8:00 a.m. at the Lewey’s Island Masonic Lodge. Contact Tammy Carle for more information and to make donations at 207-796-0796
Town of Princeton Selectmen’s Meetings-First and Third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Conference Room
To send me news, just drop me a note princetonnews@outlook.com or give me a call after 10:00 a.m. at 796-2261. My deadline to submit the column is 4:00 p.m. on Monday, I need any news no later than early Monday morning.
Alexander School
Cassie Oakes
The AES 8th graders would like to send out their thanks to all who made donations to their recent bottle drive
The 8th graders will be traveling to the Calais High School for step up day on Tuesday, April 25th from 9:00-12:00.
Softball will begin for grades 5-8 as soon as the students return from April Vacation.
A note from the kitchen. Anyone who has a lunch bill not paid by April 24th will not be able to have the hot lunch choice. They will have the sandwich. All billing will be sent through the e-mail on file with the office, unless other arrangements have been made.
Please remember to bring in all basketball uniforms to AES. They need to be returned ASAP to avoid being billed for said uniform.
Relay for Life, Hat Day raised $7.00. Thanks to all who participated.
Are you thinking about what your kids may want to do this summer? Well there will be Summer Library on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. until noon beginning on June 27th (with the exception of July 4th). In July there will also be a free ATV Safety and a Free Hunter’s Safety Course in August. Both programs are being sponsored by the AES Summer Library, FoG and Grange members. They will happen directly after library. Contact Len Hanson at 454-8733 for more information or to register for the Safety Courses.
A date has been set for the Babysitting Course offered this summer; it will take place at the Grange Hall on June 19th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more information. This course is being sponsored by the Alexander Grange
The AES library was hopping this week when several of the older students wanted to make sure that they had enough reading material for April vacation. The AES library had been displaying lots of science experiment books for the past few weeks, giving students a chance to look for what might interest them and give them a head start on Science Fair. The theme of the week was Earth Day. Since students wouldn’t be in school for Earth Day (April 22nd) there were all kinds of activities to do, word searches, puzzles and coloring pages. The pre-k class made Earth Day crowns and heard the story “A Tree is Nice” by Janice May Udry. The kindergarten and 1st graders made an Earth mascot and heard the story “Miss Rumphius” by Barbara Cooney.
Alexander/Crawford
Cassie Oakes
It is Spring Break for the local schools and I have heard rumors about family trips and outings. I sure hope some of my friends and neighbors share their experiences when they get home. Remember this column is a part of history in the making for future generations to see how we lived and perhaps track down an ancestor or two.
To Alexander/Crawford High School Seniors. If you are applying for the Alexander Crawford Scholarship, remember it has to be turned in by May 1st. You can drop them off at Randy’s Variety with Rhonda Oakes or Susan Wallace.
The People’s United Methodist Church’s Spring Fling will take place on Saturday, April 29th. There will be an inside Yard Sale, lunch sale and a Bake Sale. The sale will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:00 p.m. There will be something for everyone. If you would like to donate items please contact Jo Ellen Gallant.
There have been several babies born recently with connections to Alexander. Chad Davis and his wife Abby have added a little girl to their family, Harper Mae. Rumor has it that big brother Owen is quite smitten. Chad attended Alexander Elementary and is the son of Ronnie and Tammy Davis who resided in Alexander for many years and who have all since moved to the Bangor area.
Frank Campbell and Amy Day have also added to their family. After having two boys, James and Wyatt, they have added a daughter to the family, Leah Jean. Frank and Amy live in Meddybemps now, but both Frank and Amy are AES Alumni and have family still living in Alexander; Frank’s mom Kathy Campbell and partner Jeff Spatcher and Amy’s dad, Tony Day.
One more baby to tell you about. Rhys Owen Courville was born in Texas. He is the baby brother of Siena, and proud parents are Dane and Brittany (Carter) Courville. Their connection to Alexander you ask? The proud grand parents are Ted and Liz Carter.
More good news for the Campbell/Spatcher/Leighton Clan. Kathy’s grandson Dylan Leighton recently graduated from boot camp and is now a U.S. Marine. Thank you for your service Dylan. Many of you may remember his mom Tanya Campbell who grew up in Alexander and attended AES.
I would like to send my condolences out to my Aunt Janelle Randall and her entire family on the passing of her mom Ruth Doten. Janelle grew up in Woodland and is married to my Uncle Mike. I know that is a very sad time for them.
Condolences are also being sent out to the Kenny and Tina Smith family on the passing of their son Jason. They may no longer live in Alexander, but they are thought of often, and I know many folks are thinking of them at this time.
One more condolence to report this week, this time to the Seavey Family on the passing of their brother, father, uncle, and friend Orris Seavey, who passed away this past week.
Good thoughts are being sent out to Cathy Blake, Jolene Thornton, Ron McAlpine, Linda Bohanon, Eldon Libby, Judy Lincoln Murray, Allen Greenlaw, Sandy Lyon, Elwin Daley, Lynn Hill, Trudy Poole, Lenny Frost, David Carson, Avis McIntyre, Carl Perkins, Joan Dodge, Mike and Marilyn Trafton, Linda and Ron McArthur.
Please remember the caregivers who give up their time willingly and lovingly to care for their loved ones, and send thanks out to those who offer to drive and send meals and cards to the shut ins.
Upcoming Birthday wishes go out to Diane McAlpine, Kit Pollock, Marian Rice, Chabre Poole, Mat Snyder, David McClure, Brayden Greenlaw, Kayla Smith, Fern Garner, Wendy Maxwell, Joanna Koradowictz and Gabby Bailey.
Upcoming Anniversary wishes go to Eric and Tracey Wallace Braiser, Fred and Linda Wallace, and Mike and Jennifer Archer.
This week at Randy’s the Lucky Loser was Tony Day. Do you want to know how to be a Lucky Loser? Stop at Randy’s and check it out.
I have had such an action-packed week. I practiced for Summer Olympic Games outside, had dancing with an instructor, and helped prepare pancakes and sausage with my cooking team, B-Boppers, and went to McDonald’s for our coffee break where I got some delicious hot chocolate. I attended church on Easter Sunday with my mom and watched the pastor do a demonstration about Easter with an egg. He certainly had the church watching intently.
If you have anything you would like me to share in this column, celebrations, bragging rights or news you can email me at ptcfan@hotmail.com, message me on facebook, or snail mail me at 1328 Airline Road, Alexander, ME 04694. You can also call me at 454-2344 or drop off news at Randy’s Variety! Thank you to all of those who support me and this column. Until next time, stay safe.
Grand Lake Stream
Dave McCullough
Congratulations to John and Elaine Brown for celebrating their 50th anniversary. There are lots of stories about the magic of having people stay married for a long time but I believe the truth is honoring a commitment made many years ago and a deep and growing love is the foundation for a long marriage.
Remember the town meeting is Thursday the 20th at 6 pm at The Schoolhouse.
Downeast Lakes Land Trust thanks everyone who submitted photos to the DLLT Photo Contest! Winning entries will be featured in DLLT’s “Traditions” newsletter, mailed out in early June.
There are many signs of spring currently happening in the Downeast Lakes Community Forest. April vacation is an excellent time of the year to shake out the cobwebs and head out for a hike in Grand Lake Stream! This Friday, April 21st, join DLLT Education and Outreach Manager Colin Brown for a “Signs of Spring Kids Hike,” leaving from the Grand Lake Stream Dam parking lot at 10 am. Students should be in grades 3-8, and must bring a lunch, water, and proper clothing. Parents must contact Colin to register their child (ren) at cbrown@downeastlakes.org. Best Wishes, Colin Brown
Here is an interesting article on one of the ways IF&W keep track of fishing in various lakes and waterways. Creel Surveys are an essential tool for IFW fisheries Biologists. These short, interactive surveys with anglers provide our biologists with the essential information they need to maintain or create a healthy fishery. So just what is a creel survey? It may seem as simple as asking anglers about their day fishing.
“We ask what time they started fishing, how many people are fishing, what they caught, what they released, and then we get lengths, weights, and scales from the fish they kept,” says IFW’s Liz Thorndike, a fisheries biologist in the Rangeley Lakes region.
This ice fishing season, biologists in the Rangeley Lakes region will have intensely surveyed five different lakes. Crews rotate lakes every two to five years, and during that course of time, they will rotate through nearly 30 waters.
But the real work comes after the data is gathered. Scales are aged much like the cross section of a tree – by counting the annuli – the lines that differentiate a year’s growth on a scale. The length and weight of a fish are used to calculate the condition, (K) factor, revealing the relative health of the fish.
Catch rates are determined by comparing the number of fish caught in relation to the number of hours and how many people are fishing. Biologists also note the percent of stocked fish that are caught versus the percent of wild fish, and cross reference that.
The survey also provides a glimpse into the fishing pressure on a water. The specific angler counts for each day of the survey can be projected over a season. Combining that with catch rates and K factors provides biologists with an accurate projection of how many fish are harvested from that water.
“All our creel waters are stocked, so we can take the information that we gather and analyze the stocking rates so we can make sure we have the right balance,” says Thorndike.
Finding that right balance, through surveys, regulations, and stocking allow biologists to provide anglers with a wide variety of fishing opportunities and maintain a healthy fishery. I was not familiar with this manner of gathering information. Has West Grand Lake been involved in this type of survey?
I talked with Bob Miller today and he mentioned that there was little open water in Dyer Cove and the Bonny Brook Road was having a good spring transition after being frozen. Although the ice is pulling away from shore it will still be awhile before ice is officially out for the season. Just a reminder that ice was out on May 2, 2015 and April 2 in 2016.
The casting fly that has been catching fish in the stream recently was the “streamer,” but folks warming up with coffee and a snack in the Pine Tree Store are saying that they have been shifting to the “nymph” with good success.
Keep the news coming so it can be shared with the column readers!! Thought for the day: The thing generally raised on town land is taxes!
Your Humble Correspondent, Dave McCullough, 207-712-8294 or dmccull1@maine.rr.com.