The Town Line launches new website

/0 Comments/in /by

Following months of development, The Town Line is ready to unveil its new web portal, www.townline.org.

Though The Town Line has offered .pdf downloads of the print edition at its website for several years, it has long been a goal of the board of directors to offer a true online version of the popular local newspaper in addition to the print edition.

The initiative was made possible by the generous support of local residents Doug and Rita Sukeforth, which also allowed The Town Line to upgrade a severely outdated computer system and the software suite it uses to produce the weekly paper.

Experienced technical consultant, Eric Austin, eldest son of longtime China residents Ann and Lee Austin, has led the development of The Town Line’s new web portal.

Eric Austin and Roland D. Hallee

Technical consultant Eric Austin, left, and The Town Line’s managing editor Roland D. Hallee, put the finishing touches on the newspaper’s new website which was launched on August 4.

“The goal was always to leverage the awesome content that The Town Line already generates on a weekly basis, while also taking advantage of the unique flexibility and power of the web,” Austin explained. “Readers who wanted to read The Town Line on their phones or tablets or PCs, didn’t have that option. Now they do.”

The new site has been developed using the popular web platform, WordPress, used by many news sites on the web, including the Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal website, www.centralmaine.com.  This technology offers a responsive web design that adjusts automatically to provide a comfortable reading experience on a variety of devices and screens.

“The website is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while,” says Roland Hallee, managing editor of The Town Line. “Thanks to the Sukeforth’s generous grant, we’ve been able to modernize The Town Line by upgrading equipment and expanding into the web space. We’re positioning The Town Line to continue meeting the needs of our communities in the 21st century.”

Eric Austin will continue to support the web site going forward. “We’re just getting started,” says  Austin. “The web offers us so much potential, and so many opportunities for The Town Line to grow in new directions. We want to add a discussion board to the site, and bring classified advertising online as well.”

Banner advertising is already available on the new website, and those interested are encouraged to call Kathy Duhnoski at 691-2332 to discuss pricing.

Web content will be updated on the site by end of the day on the Friday following the release of the print edition of The Town Line.  Please come visit us at townline.org, the new web portal for Central Maine communities!

Boston has Duck Boats; China has a Duct Tape Boat

/0 Comments/in /by
by Andrew Eppig

Although I am a Baltimore native, Maine’s mosquitos have dined on my blood since I was born, and the cove of Fire Road 51 has always been my donation center. Those pesky insects have infected me with the “itch” for doing things out-of-the-ordinary, usually with others doubting my success, and thus was the theme while building this boat.

Andrew Eppig

Andrew Eppig gives the thumbs up as his duct tape boat floats in China Lake. Photo courtesy of Andrew Eppig.

While Maine is home to concrete canoe and cardboard boat building competitions, and many have seen Mythbusters use truck loads of duct tape to create many things including a two-passenger boat, it seems my scaled down, one-person creation brought much skepticism from everyone around me. To my surprise, I received the likes of “you won’t last 20 seconds,” and “it will sink as soon as you get in,” as if I was building a five-foot long lead weight. This made my “itch” flare to a rash, and I began my build.

I started by laying out two aluminum tubes from an adult-sized crutch, with a few other shorter tubes to create a frame. A thick aluminum strip from the button panel of a flat screen TV, combined with a piece of steel all-thread became the keel. I then added various sized plastic panels to create the basic hull shape, and attached two Macintosh G5 desktop computer side panels for floor boards.

It took the next three days to get it all taped together with multiple layers for rigidity and a good water-tight seal.

I then turned to mounting the “FisherPrice” style kids boat motor to it. I taped a small two-prong coat hook to the shaft of the motor, allowing it to hang from the boat, while still being able to steer.

Andrew Eppig

Andrew Eppig during the construction phase of the duct tape boat. Photo courtesy of Andrew Eppig.

After six days and multiple trips to the Rte.3 Family Dollar Store, Hussey’s General Store, and the Augusta Walmart, for the 17 rolls of duct tape, a coat hook, and a small wood paddle, I was ready and eager to finally scratch my “itch,” and put the boat into the water.

The next morning I slowly lowered my creation into a calm clear China Lake, as the rash of criticisms and doubts echoed in my head, almost making me believe that it would indeed just sink to the bottom. However, as I released my grasp, it floated. I put the motor on, it floated. Then, slowly and carefully, I stepped off the dock, gradually allowing the boat to take my weight. It floated!

My success was then truly measured as I was off to the China town office, where, after some explaining, a very nice lady was eager to help me get it legally registered, and even came out to the parking lot to take pictures with me holding the boat!

Although it will certainly never make it to the Head of the Lake for ice cream, if you happen to be on the lake near the narrows, you may just see my “Lucky Duct” floating by!  Andrew is the grandson of Irma W. Simon, of China.

Fishy Photo

/0 Comments/in /by
Joan Hallee

Worth the wait! Joan Hallee, of Waterville, landed this bass on July 15, while fishing on Webber Pond, near her camp. It was the first fishing outing of the summer for Joan and her husband, but was worth the wait. The bass measured 21 inches and weighed 5 pounds. She caught it on a 7-inch plastic red shad lure.

Send us your Fishy Photo at townline@fairpoint.net

Dream becomes reality

/0 Comments/in /by
Isaiah Vear

Isaiah Vear, 10, of Waterville, is pictured with WWE superstar Gold Dust at the WWE show recently held in Augusta. At the age of 10, he has met 24 present and past stars of the WWE, including Bushwhacker Luke, Kevin Nash, Enzo Amoré and Kane.
Photo by Central Maine Photography

Observations while waiting for tomatoes to ripen

/0 Comments/in /by
by Roland D. Hallee

The drive from work in South China to my summer camp in Vassalboro is short – 4.7 miles, 10 minutes. But, along the way, I have made some observations that kind of make me think.

For instance, I came across a flock of turkeys in a field on the Nelson Road the other day and thought nothing of it. Then, it hit me.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the sight of a wild turkey was eye opening, generally causing me to stop the truck, get out and create a Kodak moment. Nowadays, I see turkeys and it’s just another sighting. Turkeys have become so common place that we don’t react like we used to.

As a matter of fact, in the last three days alone, I have almost collided with two that jumped out of the brush on the side of the road, and decided they had the right of way.

I guess you could apply the old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” What used to be novel, is now irritating.page12pict3

A mouse at work

On the morning of July 4, during my vacation, I was sitting on my deck with a cup of coffee, with a strong case of the thousand yard stare. I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye, and saw a field mouse sitting on the barbecue pit. From there it  ran into the wood pile that is located nearby, and disappeared into its center. A few minutes later, it emerged, jumped onto the pit and proceeded to the hole of one of the cement blocks. It gazed around as if to make sure nothing was observing its movements, dropped its cargo of leaves and bark, and proceeded down the hole. It then popped its head back out of the hole, grabbed what was obviously nest-building material, and hauled them down the hole.

page12pict2It then came out of the hole, ran back into the wood pile, and repeated the steps. I sat and watched it for approximately 10 minutes, and it must have made at least a dozen trips in that time frame. The appearance of the black lab on the scene caused the mouse to retreat to the wood pile for cover.

I went over to the barbecue pit and peered into the hole, and sure enough, the mouse was in the process of building a nest.

Fat cat

While sitting in my screen house one evening we heard some scrurrying around the fireplace. At first we summized that it was probably either a raccoon or skunk. Upon closer examination, we saw what is perhaps the fattest house cat I have ever seen. Apparently, during its nocturnal travels, the cat visits many camps and gobbles up whatever grub it can find.

Circle of Life

I was sitting on my couch one day, catching up on the some reading when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw an extremely quick movement outside through the glass, sliding doors. I put the reading material down just in time to see a cat haul a chipmunk out of the fire pit, and page12pict4proudly pranced off with it in its mouth. Initially I was a little irritated that the cat couldn’t leave that little guy alone. My wife and I always get some pleasure watching the chipmunks go about their business, whether scrounging under the bird feeders for some discarded seeds, or playfully chasing each other around. Then I realized I had just witnessed nature’s circle of life in its purest form. It was the second time I witnessed something like that this summer.

Whether it’s turkeys, mice, or a common house cat, it’s simply amazing to watch Mother Nature’s creatures, large and small, go about their chores, foraging for their next meal, the hunter vs. the hunted, or preparing for winter, even in July.

Legal Notices, Week of July 28, 2016

/0 Comments/in /by

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
Court St., Skowhegan, ME
Somerset, SS
Location of Court
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted.  The first publication date of this notice is July 28, 2016

If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide.  See 18-A MRSA 3-804.

2013-315 – Estate of SHEILA McKENNA, late of Hartland, Me deceased.  North Country Associates, Inc., c/o Glen Cry, PO Box 1408, Lewiston, Me  04243-1408 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-131- Estate of MARILYN F. CLARK, late of Canaan, Me deceased.  Linda Holt, 807 Hartland Road, Canaan, Me 04924 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-165 – Estate of EMMA F. BURRILL, late of Canaan, Me deceased.  Deborah B. Johnson, 34 Deacon Lane Hollis NH  03049 and Tammie R. Bradley, 61 Term Terrace, Tewksbury, MA  01876 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2016-020 – Estate of ROBERT O. GUILBAULT, late of Moscow, Me deceased.  Richard L. Guilbault, 390 Buccaneer Drive, Largo, FL  33770 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-169 – Estate of WAYNE M. GOODELL, late of Leesburg, FL deceased.  Sara L. Skinner, PO Box 151, Woolwich, Me 04579 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-171 – Estate of GUSTAVE G. DOYON, late of Fairfield, Me deceased.  Michael r. Doyon, 711 Norridgewock Road, Fairfield, Me 04937 and Gerard G. Doyon, 65 Davis Road, Fairfield, Me 04937 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2016-172 – Estate of ROBERT S. McMANN, late of St. Albans, Me deceased.  Paul L. Dube, 280 Palmyra Road, St. Albans, Me  04971 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-173 – Estate of MICHAEL W. ROBBINS, late of Pittsfield, Me deceased.  Cody R. Robbins, 145 Berry Road, Pittsfield, Me  04967 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-174 – Estate of BARBARA H. GARLAND, late of Solon, Me deceased.  Chester R. Garland, 21 Falls Road, Solon, Me  04979 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-175 – Estate of GLORIA CARPENTER,  late of Norridgewock, Me deceased.  Charles J. Carpenter, Jr., 443 Nassau Court, Marco Island, FL 34145 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-176 – Estate of RICHARD M. SCHLENKER, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased.  Karl R. Schlenker, 170 Notch Road, Skowhegan, Me  04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-086 – Estate of RALPH B. MARTIN, late of Hartland, Me deceased.  Rachel Martin, 444 Ledge Hill Road, Corinth, Maine 04427 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-179 – Estate of TAISTO MANUEL MAKI, late of Embden, Me deceased.  William Seeley, 796 Fahi Pond Road, Embden, Me 04958 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-180 – Estate of KEVIN DUANE NEWTON, late of St. Albans, Me deceased.  Kevin Ray Newton, 60 Jenness Road, Epping, NH 03042 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-182 – Estate of ELLEN MARY HOLT, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased.  Sally H. Knight 385 East Ridge Road, Skowhegan, Me  04976 and Susan Smith, 5 Rose Avenue, Marblehead, MA 01945 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2016-189 – Estate of RODNEY RAY BICKFORD, late of Fairfield, Me deceased.  Rose-Marie Bickford, 47 Savage Street, Fairfield, Me 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-191 – Estate of LESTER E. McKENNEY, late of Madison, Me deceased.  Angel L. Brewer, 244 Burrill Hill Road, Norridgewock, Me 04937 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-192 – Estate of JOSEPH EUGENE WATROUS, late of Palmyra, Me deceased.  Jan M. Watrous, PO Box 52, Palmyra, Me 04965 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-194 – Estate of ABBIE G. RADLEY-BERG, late of Cambridge, Me deceased.  Donald R. Berg, 839 Dexter Road, Cambridge, Me 04923 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-196 – Estate of WILLIAM F. RICE, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased.  Judith M. Rice, 351 West Front Street, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-197 – Estate of NORRIS H. PADHAM, late of Madison, Me deceased.  Birdena E. Padham, 10 Ward Hill Road, Madison, Me 04950 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-198 – Estate of FRANK GRAY, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased.  Irislea Clark, 637 Madison Road, Norridgewock, Me 04957 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-200 – Estate of ADELE POMELOW, late of Madison, Me deceased.  Douglas J. Pomelow, 239 Between the Mills, Exeter, Me 04435 appointed Personal Representative.

2016-201 – Estate of SCOTT F. O’BRIEN, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased.  Erica M. Gregoire, 87 Shady Ln., Canaan, Me  04924 appointed Personal Representatiave.

To be published on July 28 & August 4, 2016
Dated: July 25, 2016
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(8/4)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, SS.
SKOWHEGAN, ME

PROBATE NOTICES

TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW

Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates.  These matters will be heard at 9 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be, on August 10, 2016. The requested appointments may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard.  This notice complies with the requirements of 18-A MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.

2016-166 – Estate of TAMMY L. DELONG, Adult of St. Albans, Me.  Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Tammy Lynn DeLong, 55 Main Street, St. Albans, Me 04971 requesting her name be changed to Tammy Lynn Varricchio for reasons set forth therein.

2016-181 – Estate of JASON HILLGROVE LOMBARDO, Adult of Skowhegan, Me.  Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Jason Hillgrove Lombardo, 4 North School Street, Skowhegan, Me  04976 requesting his name be changed to Samantha Freedom Lombardo for reasons set forth therein.

2016-186 – Estate of GAGE ROBERT LOREIRO, minor of Skowhegan, Me.  Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Sonya Fox, 271 Parkman Hill Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 and Scott Loureiro, Jr., 148 Chadbourne Road, Harmony, Me 04942 requesting minor’s name be changed to Gage Robert Loureiro Fox for reasons set forth therein.

2016-187 – Estate of SHIRLIE JEAN LANDRY-MUSHERO, minor of Skowhegan, Me.  Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Laurey and Ralph Mushero, 430 Canaan Road, Skowhegan, Me  04976 requesting minor’s name be changed to Shirlie Jean Mushero for reasons set forth therein.

2016-188 – Estate of BREANNA MICHELLE LANDRY-MUSHERO, minor of Skowhegan, Me.  Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Laurey and Ralph Mushero, 430 Canaan Road, Skowhegan, Me  04976 requesting minor’s name be changed to Breanna Ann Mushero for
reasons set forth therein.

2016-195 – Estate of SARA R. DeROSA, minor of Madison, Me.  Petition for Change of Name (Minor) filed by Kimberly Babnaw, 49 Trolley Line Drive, Madison, Me  04950 requesting minor’s name be changed to Sara Rose Babnaw for reasons set forth therein.

Dated:  July 25, 2016  
/s/ Victoria M. Hatch
Register of Probate
 (8/4)

I’m Just Curious: A little fun

/0 Comments/in /by
by Debbie Walker

By now in our relationship, you know that I love time and money saving tips. I really love the odd ball ones and that’s what I’m studying tonight.

The following information I found in my 2011 “Who Knew?” calendar, plus a few words of my own (of course). The calendar is by Jeanne Boosline Lubin and Bruce Lubin.

Hope you enjoy them:

Got a gluing project and it got messy? Rub a little WD-40 into dried glue and wipe clean. (Where was that bit of news when I glued my fingers together?!)

Got a white dog that gets stains under its eyes? Rub a little vinegar into the fur to remove yellow or brown spots. (You try it first and call me if it works. Wonder if it would work on skin for our dark circles under our eyes?!)

Got a mop that requires replacement cloths? Use baby wipes instead of pricy cloths. Rinse the wipes off before using; they’ll get your floor just as clean (No babies in this house, if I brought those in it would scare Ken into heading for Alaska!)

Got slivers of soap? Cut a slice in the side of a body sponge and slip them inside. Lather up and rinse. They say you’ll get so many suds you probably won’t need to repeat. (How dirty would you have to get to need a repeat job?)

Got grout stains? Use sandpaper between the tiles, don’t scratch tiles. (Know what works great and is easier than sandpaper? Clorox has that tube for taking out stains. Works wonders on grout. This one I have experience with. Kills that mildew crap easily!!)

Got too much dressing on your salads? Put the dressing inside a baby sippy cup and see how that works. (I go buying a sippy cup AND baby wipes Ken will certainly be running!!)

FYI – The color of the White House isn’t just tradition – it’s energy efficient. (Who knew the founding fathers were so “Green” when they chose that color, their choices were probably either white or barn red!!)

Got used tea bags? Let them dry, cut them open and mix with your kitty litter to keep it smelling fresh. (If you don’t use enough tea bags, call mom, she could save you plenty!)

Got diaper rash? Make a paste with about 1/4  cup of petroleum jelly and one tablespoon of corn starch then spread on irritated skin. (Ken honest, there will be no babies in this house unless they are brief visitors!!!)

Got a squeaky door? Spray shaving cream on offending hinge? (Vegetable spray, WD-40 and coconut oil work too!)

Got old wallpaper you want to come off? Use a spray bottle of vinegar and saturate first. Wait a few minutes, it’ll peel right off. (You’d have to wait a few minutes, get out and get some fresh air!)

FYI – don’t use cruise control when it is raining. It could cause you to have an accident. (Retired truck driver Ken says so! And so do manufacturers.)

Got smelly feet? Break up a few sage leaves and spread them inside your shoes. It’ll kill bacteria that causes foot stink. Cut down on how much you perspire by drinking sage tea and give it several weeks for results.

Got toenail fungus? Soak toes in the darkest beer you can find. The yeast attracts the fungus out. They say it’s important not to drink any beer during this treatment. It’ll reverse the effect. (Ken thinks you ought to be able to drink the dark beer and heal from the inside out like drinking sage tea for smelly feet!)

I’m just curious if you have any unusual tips?

Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com subject line: A Little Fun   Tootles!!!!!! (I decided I like that one.)

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Composer Wolfgang Mozart Conductor Cesar Franck Author John Sandford

/0 Comments/in /by

Mozart: Abduction from the Seraglio – Ferenc Fricsay conducting the RIAS Orchestra and Chorus, various soloists; Audite 23 413, 2 CDs, recorded 1949.

Mozart’s most well known operas are Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Marriage of Figaro, and Cosi Fan Tutte, while the Abduction has

Wolfgang Mozart

Wolfgang Mozart

occupied a more minor position. To me, it could easily replace Don Giovanni, which I feel is long-winded and overrated. In fact, every aria and chorus in the whole opera has melodic appeal of a most engaging quality which the others, as great as they are, simply don’t sustain.

The plot centers on a seraglio or Turkish harem and  focusses on the rescue of one of three women who have been sold to a Sultan by pirates. But the tone of the opera is one of comedy and joy.

The performance is excellent on all levels- singing, playing, conducting, characterization, etc. And the 1949 performance, originally intended for broadcast on German radio, has been remastered for cd with the utmost clarity and presence. One could easily mistake it for a more recent recording. It is also still in print and reasonably priced through such Internet sites as the  Amazon vendors and the Berkshire Record Outlet.

One monarch once criticized the opera to Mozart as having too many notes; the composer replied, “It has as many notes as it needs.”

Franck: Redemption – Michel Plasson conducting Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse with chorus and soloists; Musical Heritage Society S 160605, CD, recorded 1994.

Cesar Franck

Cesar Franck

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Scored for narrator, soloist, chorus and orchestra, it has the characteristics of a mass or oratorio of a devotional quality, similar to Verdi’s Requiem Mass, Beethoven Missa Solemnis and the Mozart Requiem, The composer Cesar Franck (1822-1890), after completing it in 1871, considered the work a tone poem, which is for orchestra, as is a symphony, but has the other label instead. The recording of the full score is the first one, unlike recordings of the opening Prelude which were the norm previously. It is also top-notch and still very much available.

Franck’s fame was  based on his gifts as an organist and he was the lead one at Saint Clotilde Church in Paris for at least 3 decades. His father recognized his musical gifts when  Franck was a boy but proved to be such an arrogant,  domineering jackass  even throughout his young adulthood that, when he was courting his future wife, her parents saw the situation with Papa and offered to let him stay with them; the reason being that they really liked him but understandably wanted to keep an eye on him and their daughter.

A suspense novel.

John Sandford: – Deadline; G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014, 388 pages.

John Sandford

John Sandford

I have covered one or two thrillers by John Sandford that were centered around the uncannily brilliant Minneapolis/Saint Paul investigator Lucas Davenport the protagonist of the more than 25 novels of the Prey series. Deadline features Davenport’s colleague Virgil Flowers, who covers the upcountry Minnesota lakeside/sticks region. I have read one or two of the previous Flowers novels but didn’t find them   hanging around in my memory.

This title is different and significantly more exciting – I gulped it in three days! There are basically three different situations Flowers is confronting, a series of mysterious dognappings, a neighborhood meth lab and a very murderous local schoolboard stealing millions over a period of years. The crimes and perpetrators do overlap, mostly unwittingly, with the schoolboard providing the most narrative interest.

But enough of the hints. A must read!

Jefferson Historical open house

/0 Comments/in /by
Jefferson 4-H girls

Contributed photo

This photo of Jefferson 4-H girls with their leaders in the 1950s will be a feature of the Jefferson Historical Society’s annual open house and exhibit day on Saturday, August 6, between 10 a,m, and 2 p,m, at the Old Jefferson Town House. Many of these girls are the mothers and grandmothers of today. The photo will be a part of an exhibit on the 1950s in Jefferson as well as Jefferson celebrations through the years. Front row, from left to right, Dottie Packard, Veneta Peaslee, Trudi Hodgkins, Elwilda Bryant, Faith MacDonald, __?__, Charlotte Lermond and leader Ada Packard. Back, Jean Ogilvie, Nancy Hixon, Shirley Hallowell, Patty Jones, Connie Wilson, Gertrude Pierpont, Jean Tilton, Sheila Jackson and leaders, Nat Chamblee and Doris Tilton.   The JHS’s annual Choose-Your-Own Cookies Sale that day will feature a variety of home-made cookies for customers to choose from and fill  their quart bags to take home. Lunch will be available from Sully’s Extraordinary Dogs and Brats, weather permitting. FMI: 549-5258.

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of July 28, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Katie Ouiletteby Katie Ouilette

WALLS. a recent description of Skowhegan was “a whole lot of energy and a ton of fun,” and,  for sure, Skowhegan Downtown is about to welcome one of the outstanding happenings that has gone on for years and it will begin at the famous and historic Skowhegan Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 28, and end on Saturday, July 30, with the Artisan Bread Fair.  O.K. WALLS, this is a quote from THE Kennebec Explorer:  “it’s an eating event dedicated solely to ‘Real Bread’ and everything associated with this most ancient and central staple (even tasty pastry).  Don’t miss a single crumb.

WALLS, this is the perfect time to explain Maine Grains that Amber Lambke was inspired to bring to Somerset County’s historic Old County Jail.  First of all, several years ago, Amber was the person who brought The Kneading Conference to Skowhegan by reaching out to folks in charge of The Kneading Conference from California.  Remember, faithful readers, when the first Kneading Conference was held at The Tewksbury Center, on The Island in Skowhegan?  Well, interest grew and grew and now the Skowhegan Fairgrounds is the chosen location.  Yes, WALLS, we are so fortunate that Amber has become an important member of our community that has known the pitfalls of loss of downtown businesses and, thanks to Amber and others who are dedicated to making Skowhegan downtown great, again, this wonderful town is growing through those dedicated efforts.

Many thanks must go to many leaders of our community in this issue, faithful readers.  On the July 19, MainStreet’s Executive
Director Kristina Cannon, planned a meeting that leaders throughout the community attended.  Welcomed was a member of the board of selectmen, representatives of schools and hospitals in Skowhegan.  Representatives of organizations such as Rotary, Lions, Skowhegan Heritage Council, and the many businesses that have chosen to be here.  Need I say that we must give Andy and Donna, of Russakoff Jewelers, many accolades for being one of our historic mainstays (the business having been started by Andy’s grandfather Sussman when he immigrate to Skowhegan).  Also attending this momentous meeting were folks who help others cope, such as interim executive director of our Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director Jason Gayne, of Hospice.  WALLS, that meeting was for all attending to say what they now want Skowhegan to become and the ideas flowed, for sure.  The meeting was held at our Rennaisance Building and Alton Whittemore, for whom ‘Alton’s Way’ is named, would be proud.

Other events are planned way into August, faithful readers, and WALLS will keep you informed, for sure.  And, have a happy summer!