PLATTER PERSPECTIVE – Composer: Leonard Bernstein

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Leonard Bernstein

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper’s Maestro gave a somewhat superficial depiction of the marriage of Leonard and Felicia Bernstein while biographies of David Ewen, John Gruen and Joan Peyser filled in some facts and personal, at times biased observations, Gruen providing fascinating interviews as well.

I am going to provide a list of recommended recordings from the great man and leave biography and anecdotes for another day.

To begin:

1958 – Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet coupled with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, his first studio recording with the New York Philharmonic, had an extraordinary combination of savage excitement, highly controlled discipline and exquisite beauty.

1962 – Beethoven’s 5th Symphony received a performance that, to this day, has been equalled by such conductors as Karel Ancerl, Wilhelm Furtwangler, Otto Klemperer, Fritz Reiner, Bruno Walter, Arturo Toscanini, Herbert von Karajan, Eugene Ormandy, Andre Cluytens and a few others but never surpassed for rehearings over the last 50 years and is, for me, the best record he ever did of any Beethoven Symphony, although the 1972 Boston Symphony youtube and the 1980 ones Bernstein conducted of the same composer’s Pastoral Symphony scored some very lovely points. Bernstein achieved in the 5th a breathing spaciousness and gripping intensity that was exquisitely forged.

1963 – Bernstein recorded Dvorak’s 7th Symphony, which is my favorite of all his 9 magnificent Symphonies, and gave a performance in which his wild, frantic, very sentimental side, qualities that ruined other recordings of various works, came off very well and during the past 60 years, I have worn out two or three copies of the LP.

1965 – Bernstein recorded Mahler’s intensely emotional 5th Symphony and mastered its manic/depressive moods to an extraordinary degree. It is my favorite of all his Mahler recordings, although his 1966 London Symphony set of the composer’s 8th with a thousand voices and huge orchestra is one always worth getting to know. Plus the New York Philharmonic Mahler 4th with soprano Reri Grist is a gem.

Finally the 1961 soundtrack of his musical West Side Story with Marni Nixon’s exquisite soprano dubbed in for Natalie Wood’s Maria and the vibrant ensemble work of others is, by a narrow margin over the original 1957 Broadway cast recording, an album that stands the test of time.

All the above are on YouTube.

Robert Patrick

Actor Robert Patrick portrayed a very convincing Homeland Security government agent of upright integrity and supportiveness on the 4 seasons of Scorpion and a deadly corrupt chief of security on the current 8 episode season of Reacher.

From Rumford native Tom Fallon’s poem Work Piece:

“Noise continuous: keep
the machine running:
what time is it:
what time is it
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
Noon, sandwiches. Eat.”

A very powerful depiction of the grueling paper mills of Maine’s industrial age.

ERIC’S TECH TALK: The new misinformation landscape

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by Eric W. Austin

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, the problem of misinformation looms larger than ever before. The information landscape has changed drastically over recent decades, and many of us have not developed the tools to discern good information from bad quickly enough to keep pace with these changes. Let’s explore how things were in the past, how they have evolved, and what we can do to navigate this new terrain.

In the past, our information was filtered through a series of gatekeepers, such as teachers, librarians, publishers, newspapers, and the major news broadcasters. These gatekeepers, equipped with the skills to discern reliable information, ensured that the public received mostly accurate news and information. This system fostered a relatively unified understanding of the world, which was particularly valuable in times of crisis. However, it also meant that a small group decided which narratives were worthy of dissemination, limiting the diversity of perspectives.

The landscape began to shift in the late 1980s with the elimination of the Fairness Doctrine, a policy that required broadcasters to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues. Whether one views this as a positive change or not, its repeal allowed for the rise of ideologically driven news stations catering to specific segments of the population, leading to the ideological drift and “information bubbles” we see today.

The advent of the internet further transformed the information landscape. Traditional gatekeepers were bypassed, and information became ubiquitous and accessible to all. This democratization of information had its benefits, allowing for a greater diversity of viewpoints and giving voice to previously suppressed perspectives. However, it also meant that anyone, regardless of their expertise or intentions, could disseminate information widely. This led to a reliance on emotional responses and confirmation bias to determine the value of information rather than its truthfulness or societal benefit.

Social media platforms, particularly with the introduction of Facebook’s “Like” button in 2009, exacerbated the problem. These platforms reward content that generates engagement, often prioritizing sensational or misleading information. The lack of accountability for false or harmful content has allowed misinformation to flourish, with creators incentivized by the prospect of financial gain through ad revenue sharing on platforms like YouTube and Twitter (now X).

The influence of social media influencers has further complicated the landscape. Individuals can amass millions of followers based on content like pranks or lifestyle posts, and then leverage that influence to spread conspiracies or misinformation. This unchecked power can be exploited by political, criminal, or foreign entities for nefarious purposes.

New Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have made the situation even more perilous. AI can create photorealistic images, simulate voices, and generate realistic videos, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and fake content. This technological advancement, combined with the breakdown of traditional gatekeeping, has created a breeding ground for misinformation.

So, what can we do about it? First, we must recognize the need to develop new skills for discerning good information from bad. Many of us overestimate our ability to identify reliable information. To counter this, we should seek out media literacy classes, read books on detecting fake information, and educate ourselves about common biases and fallacies. Media literacy education should also be integrated into school curriculums to prepare future generations for this new information environment.

Here are a few practical tips to navigate the current landscape:

• Find Trusted Sources: Identify credible sources from across the political spectrum. Research them thoroughly and use them as a benchmark to evaluate new information.
• Be Aware of Bias: Acknowledge your own biases and be cautious of information that confirms your preconceptions.
• Verify Information: Be skeptical of information from unknown sources, especially screenshots of articles or headlines shared on social media.
• Research Your Sources Thoroughly: Check the credibility of new sources using tools like AllSides, MediaBiasFactCheck, and Ground News. Scan a source’s Wikipedia page and do a Google search to identify any red flags. Also, look for funding transparency from websites and news organizations.

Ultimately, we must remain vigilant and humble. Overconfidence in our ability to discern truth from falsehood makes us more susceptible to deception. By staying informed and critically evaluating the information we consume, we can better navigate this complex information landscape and make informed decisions, especially as we approach the crucial 2024 elections.

MY POINT OF VIEW: A day to honor all fathers

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by Gary Kennedy

In the year 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Presidential Proclamation honoring Fathers Day and designated the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day. The Bible gives us an intimate view of the relationship between Christ, the Son, and God the father. (Yahweh, Jehovah) Jesus, by example, showed the relationship between himself and his father. We all know what that relationship was/is. The love and respect was like no other. However, this example gave us something to strive for. Although we could never achieve the love and respect that emanated from this relationship but the example was easy to see and to reach for. It’s an example that will live in our hearts forever.

Father’s Day goes back to the middle ages. It actually began as a Catholic holiday, which was a celebration of fatherhood. This celebration goes back to the Catholic churches celebration of the feast of St. Joseph. Father’s Day has been observed for hundreds of years but was not celebrated in the USA until the 20th century and that was most likely because of Mothers Day.

A young lady by the name of Anne Jarvis began lobbying in the very early 1900s. She did this primarily because she felt it was unfair to have a Mothers Day while overlooking ones father who was an important parent as well. He played an extremely important role in the family.

A point of interest would be that both of these holidays had their official celebrations in West Virginia. Mothers Day was first celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, and the first Father’s Day took place in Fairmont, West Virginia, on the 5th of July 1908. An important point brought father’s to the front by a mining disaster. The “Mononagh Mining Disaster”, which inspired Father’s Day, took the lives of 361 miners of which 250 were fathers. A woman named Grace Golden Clayton lost her father that day. It was taken very hard by this young lady. She spoke with her minister and asked if a special service could be held to honor all the fathers that lost their lives that day. Unfortunately, the first Father’s Day ceremony didn’t lead to the Father’s Day holiday. The reasons were the town was celebrating its Independence Day festival and the event was not advertised outside of the town. Communication in these times was very limited.

Three years later (1911), after the Fairmont tragedy, a Chicago social activist, Jane Addams sought recognition of Father’s Day but her attempt at this holiday failed as well.

The reality of Father’s Day eventually was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. Sonora Dodd’s father was William Jackson Smart who raised six children and also fought in the Civil War. He was a single parent.

In 1972 President Richard Nixon signed into law a permanent recognition of Father’s Day. From this point on Father’s Day was a holiday which showed reverence to the father of the family. He would now be held at an even level with his significant other. It became as it should be, love and respect for one’s father. According to Hallmark, the premier in card production, the Father’s Day card sending even reached 72 million. In 2020 card sales exceeded $17 billion. That is one super sales event.

Long story short is Father’s Day, as with Mother’s Day, is about love and respect for ones parents. Parents spend their lives working and saving to afford us a better life. It seems with the birth of a child the purpose in life is no longer that new gun, fishing pole, vacation, cottage on the lake and other fanciful things that dreams are made of. With the advent of a new addition to the home the entire outlook gets turned off and a new game plan begins.

The new game plan is centered on the baby. Now father will take on more work, become very frugal and buy that life insurance policy, begin the educational plan for the entity he knows will be a genius. This takes many years, and loving sacrifices. Before he knows it, time has left him with gray hair and a wrinkled face. However, he probably has accomplished his goal. The child has reaped the benefit of a father’s hard work and love. All this was done with a loving heart. So this is a father that deserved to be celebrated at least once a year, don’t you agree? Happy Father’s Day Dad and God bless you.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Conductor: Carlo Maria Giulini

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Carlo Maria Giulini

Carlo Maria Giulini

Italian conductor Carlo Maria Giulini was born May 9, 1914, and passed away June 14, 2005. He displayed talent by the age of five on the violin, but took up the viola as an adolescent, was gainfully employed in Italian radio orchestras, and had priceless opportunities to observe an array of some of the greatest conductors of the last century – Wilhelm Furtwangler, Arturo Toscanini, Victor de Sabata, Bruno Walter – Giulini once commented that Walter had a unique gift for making each musician feel important, Fritz Reiner, and Hancock Maine’s summer resident/teacher Pierre Monteux.

Giulini was taking up conducting himself and getting a few engagements but World War II broke out and he was conscripted into the Italian army. Being a pacifist, he couldn’t bring himself to kill enemy combatants, especially alongside German soldiers, and became a deserter, going into hiding until the allies removed Mussolini from power and drove out the Germans. During the period of hiding, his face was displayed on posters all over the countryside with orders to shoot on sight.

After the war, Giulini got numerous engagements as a guest conductor, and in 1949, was rehearsing a lesser known opera by Franz Joseph Haydn at La Scala; Toscanini happened to look in, stayed for the rehearsal, and used his influence to solidify Giulini’s engagement as La Scala Music Director Victor de Sabata’s main assistant at that opera house, eventually replacing Sabata when the older man’s health failed.

In 1955, Chicago’s own arch perfectionist Fritz Reiner told his players just before he went away for the summer that the very talented young man Giulini will be conducting them for the orchestra’s outdoor festival at Ravinia and the players will be finding the young Maestro a very gifted musician.

Years later in a New York Times interview, Giulini told of meeting Reiner just once in the lobby of a Viennese hotel and having a pleasant chat for 15 minutes.

Giulini’s working methods were quite lengthy and carefully detailed but singers and musicians enjoyed working with him because he knew exactly what he was doing yet had a very pleasant supportive personality, unlike such tyrants as Reiner, Szell, Toscanini and others. He considered them colleagues and friends and that he and they were servants of the great composers – Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Verdi, Mahler and a handful of others, he being also highly selective of which piece to focus on.

For example, he conducted Tchaikovsky’s 6th or Pathetique Symphony but the 5th Symphony made him physically ill.

In 1979, I attended a concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall in which Giulini conducted the touring Los Angeles Philharmonic, of which he was music director from 1978 to 1984, in a program consisting of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and the Dvorak 7th, two works which he adored and brought something truly beautiful that Sunday afternoon. I own the three recordings he did of the Pastoral and both Dvorak 7ths and they are all good for different reasons.

Two highly recommended operas that Giulini recorded during the 1980s were Verdi’s Rigoletto and Il Trovatore, both with tenor Placido Domingo singing important roles and, even though he had a voice I didn’t usually care for, he sang with beauty and power while still in his 40s.

During roughly the same decade, Giulini refused all engagements for two to three years when his wife Marcela suffered a series of strokes and stayed home to take personal care of her until she recovered.

Many of the Maestro’s recordings can be heard via YouTube and other Internet sources.

A quote by the Maestro on working with people:

“What matters most is human contact. The great mystery of music making requires real friendship among those who work together. Every member of the orchestra knows I am with him and her in my heart.”

CRITTER CHATTER: New neighbors move in

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squirrel

by Jayne Winters

In my typical fashion, I wasn’t sure what this month’s column would be about. After Monday (May 13), however, there was no doubt in my mind. What was just another day in the life of a wildlife rehabber was special for me!

For those who read Critter Chatter regularly, you may remember that last October I wrote about a chipmunk and gray squirrel that had been hit by cars. Although the gray was active and seemed on the road to recovery, he did succumb to his injuries after a few days. “Chip” slowly began to come around from his trauma, eating, drinking and grooming himself. He was left with a slight crook in his neck, though, which Don thought would eventually straighten out.

In November, I wrote about a young red squirrel – the sole survivor of a litter of three – that was rescued from a glue trap. After Don used PAM Cooking Spray and Dawn detergent to clean off the glue residue, Little Red sported a real funky-looking tail for weeks; it reminded me of a fancy poodle cut.

Since their cages were in Don’s living room, I regularly greeted Chip and Little Red on my visits and looked forward to seeing their improvement over the winter months. I told Don in January that if he needed a place to release them this spring, they would be welcome to the woods behind our house as I’d been seeing only a couple of gray squirrels and only one red.

So, when I got the call on Monday that it was Release Day, I quickly grabbed my camera and awaited my guests’ arrival. Don and volunteer Jeff arrived shortly with not one, but two reds, and Chip. Not a problem! The first squirrel hadn’t been in rehab very long and immediately scooted out of his cage, bee-lining it for a nearby oak tree. Chip was the next to be set free and he spent 15-20 minutes on the lawn, sampling last fall’s acorns and exploring.

Little Red was hyper, bouncing all over his cage, inside for a few minutes, then on top once he discovered the open door, even popping back inside. With a little encouragement from Jeff and Don, he finally ventured out again and the last we saw of him, was rustling around in the leaves in the woods. I expect he’ll be easy to recognize by his tail, so I hope he decides to make this area his permanent home. Chip has made several appearances this week and his neck appears to be fine; he’s already become quite a climber in the bush near the back deck.

I’ve always had great respect and admiration for wildlife rehabbers: for their 24/7 TLC and compassion, for their commitment in helping injured or abandoned critters, of all shapes and sizes. Witnessing the months’ long recovery and final release of what many people consider “just little rodents” only increased my high regard and appreciation for everything these folks do.

PLEASE NOTE: Don is currently dealing with some health issues and is not accepting any new admissions. He has asked that I include the name and telephone number for a rehabber he works with: Kathi McCue, at Wilderness Miracles Wildlife Rehab, in Bowdoin, can be reached at (207) 720-0074. Depending upon your location and critter situation, she can assist personally or refer you to someone in your area. You should also check these websites for a rehabber close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

FOR YOUR HEALTH – Clean Your Air: Six Ways To Manage Allergens

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Professionally cleaned air ducts can cut down on allergens in your home.

Regular cleaning can help protect your home from dust, dander, pollen, mold and other allergen.

(NAPSI)—As the warmer seasons unfold, a host of allergens and irritants become more prevalent, potentially disrupting your daily life and health – especially if you have asthma and allergies. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), millions of people are affected by allergies, and understanding how to control your environment can significantly improve your quality of life during this beautiful but challenging season. Here are effective strategies and types of products that can help reduce allergens and irritants in your home:

1. Prioritize Indoor Air Quality

Air Purifiers – Invest in a good air purifier. Devices with HEPA filters are especially effective at trapping allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. To maximize their effectiveness, put air purifiers in commonly used areas such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Humidity Control – Maintain indoor humidity levels between 30 percent and 50 percent. Humidifiers can add moisture to dry air, while dehumidifiers can help control mold growth and dust mites by reducing excess moisture. Both tools are essential in creating a balanced indoor environment.

2. Keep It Clean

Regular Cleaning – Weekly cleaning can significantly reduce the presence of allergens. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture the fine particles that traditional vacuums may recirculate into the air. Remember to wear a dust mask while cleaning to avoid inhaling allergens.
Bedding and Upholstery – Encase mattresses and pillows in dust mite-proof covers. Wash bedding weekly in hot water to kill dust mites and remove allergens. Additionally, consider washing or replacing curtains and deep cleaning upholstery where allergens can linger.

3. Filter and Ventilate

Replace HVAC Filters – Regularly replace the filters in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Opt for filters with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating that can capture smaller particles, thus improving indoor air quality. Check with your manufacturer to ensure you’re using the right MERV rating for your system. Using a filter with too high a rating for your system can cause more harm than good, taxing your system and shortening its lifespan.

Enhance Ventilation – Improve your home’s ventilation by opening windows when the pollen count is low or using exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce moisture and cooking fumes, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Air Duct Cleaning – Consider having your air ducts cleaned by a NADCA-certified professional. Over time, dust, mold, and other allergens can accumulate in your duct system, affecting the overall air quality and efficiency of your HVAC system. Cleaning your air ducts can help ensure that these irritants are removed, providing cleaner, fresher airflow throughout your home.

4. Create a Pollen-Free Zone

Keep windows and doors closed during high pollen days. Use air conditioning in your home and car to keep pollen out. Remove shoes at the door and shower after being outdoors to wash pollen off your skin and hair.

5. Control Pet Dander

If you have pets, groom them regularly to reduce the dander they shed. Also, establish pet-free zones, especially in bedrooms, to minimize allergy exposure while sleeping.

6. Consider Indoor Plants

Some plants can help improve indoor air quality. However, it’s important to choose wisely, as some plants can also be sources of mold or pollen. Spider plants and ferns are good options for improving air without increasing allergens.

By integrating these strategies and using effective products, you can significantly reduce the impact of allergens and irritants during the allergy and asthma season. Living with allergies and asthma can be challenging, but with these tips from BreathingClean.com, you can enjoy the season without the sneeze.

VETERANS CORNER: Excellent news in regards to several Veterans VA cases

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Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)

by Gary Kennedy

Well, for all of you who follow Julie and me, we have returned home safe and sound. I noticed the past issue of the The Town Line, my old friend Peter Garrett was honored with a nature trail being memorialized in his name. He has always been a true nature lover and great Rotarian. He certainly deserves to be recognized for his love of Maine in all aspects. I was very pleased to see the article and seeing my friend looking so well. The Town Line always tends to showcase the best of us. Perhaps someday even me.

Julie and I had a very successful journey to S.E. Asia. Until the very end, the temperature remained comfortable. We came home this month and the temperature had a bad streak of 103°-106°F. I can’t tolerate those temperatures. I was anxious to leave and come home. We always leave wishing we could have done more but our means are limited. Julie and I were honored with plaques and certificates as well as simple “thank you very much”, what more do you need?

Always during this time I start dreaming of lobster, scallops and clams. There is nothing in the South Pacific that can compare to Maine seafood. It was in my dreams every night before we left. What made it worse was I have some veteran friends/clients who are fishermen that know how much I love that stuff. So, they send me tease messages making me aware they have these things fresh and saved for Julie and I. These are the incentives we need to pay attention to our itineraries and not miss the plane. We have a freezer full of these tasty treats now. Also, to make things worse, Hannaford has just put lobster on sale for $7.99 a pound. That is cheaper than steak, who can resist? Not me, that’s for sure.

I also had some excellent news in regards to several Veterans VA cases that I wrote just before I left. (100 percent) unfortunately I had some that didn’t turn out as well but that can be expected. We’ll jump right on those and try to make them right. If you happen to be one who had a V.S.O. submit a case for you and it didn’t turn out well, don’t be discouraged. It’s just the beginning of several steps. More fail the first time than don’t. It’s imperative that you follow up with your Primary Care Provider (PCP).

Much of the time if you are just beginning you probably haven’t built up much of a history. Your PCP must know your in-service record. This is very important in “case creation”. Your in-service medical records are very important as well. These not only give your medical situations but aid your PCP in your treatment plan, which is most important to your future health. It also gives the doctor a benchmark in which to build your pathway to service connection as well as the benchmarks for future treatment.

When you have medical issues the connection can be related to your military issues and thus connection for compensation as well. Just remember your defense is your service connection. If you have it you will not fail. If it is not readily visible you must pursue it in different ways. Witnesses to in-service events are acceptable and even those who knew you, prior military, can be very helpful to help show that your medical problems most likely were the result of your military service. Leave no stone unturned. All information from different sources can be of value. Your Veteran Service Officer (V.S.O.) can guide you on this path.

We often send for veteran’s medical records and either receive no reply or someone will tell us they may have burned in a records fire. I have been doing these cases for 47 years and find this to be only possibly true. I have had many veterans, who never received their records upon our request, however, when we filed, VA was able to pull them up and make a decision. That on its face is wrong but it does happen. Just stick with your V.S.O. and keep your case going. Positive results can occur. If you just drop it and walk away, you lose. You need to be persistent and speak again with your V.S.O.

He/she will lead you down the correct path. Eventually you should succeed with your claim. When you know you’re right, don’t back down. You have too much at stake. Just continue to keep doctor’s appointments and follow the instructions of your V.S.O. Eventually you will be successful.

Next week we’ll begin answering your questions and helping you with the development of your case forward. You served your country, now it’s time for your country to serve you. Stay strong and push forward. God bless you and thank you for your service.

SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Winning perennial plant adds color & fragrance

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Jeana garden phlox is the 2024 Perennial Plant of the Year. (photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com)

by Melinda Myers

Add long-lasting beauty and pollinator appeal to your garden with this year’s Perennial Plant of the Year, Jeana garden phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’). Selected for its tall sturdy habit and fragrant dense flower heads it is a welcome addition to perennial, meadow, and pollinator gardens as well as mixed borders.

Grow this perennial phlox in full sun with a bit of afternoon shade in hotter climates. It is hardy in USDA zones three to eight, growing and flowering best in moist, fertile, and well-drained soil.

The Perennial Plant of the Year (PPOY) is selected by members of the Perennial Plant Association for its suitability to a wide range of climatic conditions, low maintenance, relative pest and disease resistance, availability, and multiple seasons of beauty. This program began in 1990 and you can find out more about past winners on the Perennial Plant Association website.

This cultivar of the North American native Phlox paniculata was discovered growing along the Harpeth River near Nashville, Tennessee. It was named for the woman, Jeana Prewitt, who discovered this plant. It was a standout with its mildew-resistant foliage. Jeana is the head gardener at Bedside Manor in Brentwood, Tennessee. She took cuttings of the plant and began propagating it. In time, it was declared to be a new cultivar and has been available for several years.

Mt. Cuba Center, a botanical garden in Delaware, found it to be the best-performing phlox in their trials and it attracted more butterflies than the other garden phlox in the two-year study. Fifteen volunteers from the Pollinator Watch Team conducted weekly observations of 94 different phlox over two years. Jeana had 539 butterfly visits – way more than any other phlox in the study – and is especially attractive to eastern tiger swallowtails.

Enjoy the lavender-pink flowers with wine-colored eyes that cover the plant from mid-summer to fall. Although each flower is smaller than other garden phlox, the dense cone-shaped flower head is made up of hundreds of individual petals providing a beautiful show. Removing faded flowers, also known as deadheading, promotes continued bloom and prevents the self-seeding of inferior seedlings.

Combine this three-to-five-inch-tall plant with other perennials like Amsonia, Shasta daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum), Iron Butterfly ironweed (Vernonia lettermanii ‘Iron Butterfly’), coneflowers (Echinacea), and switch grass (Panicum virgatum). Or use it as a backdrop for shorter plants like alliums and woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa).

Look for places to add this late-season bloomer to your gardens and landscapes. You’ll enjoy the flowers and butterflies that stop by for a visit.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Better health naturally

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(NAPSI)—If you’re like most Americans, you take a dietary supplement every day, according to a report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

 Yet, adds the Cleveland Clinic, approximately 35 percent of adults in the United States have vitamin D deficiency.

This can be a problem because, doctors at Yale point out, possible symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include: 

 •Muscle pain

•Bone pain

•Increased sensitivity to pain

•A tingly, “pins-and-needles” sensation in the hands or feet

•Muscle weakness in body parts near the trunk of the body, such as the upper arms or thighs

•Waddling while walking, due to muscle weakness in the hips or legs

•A history of broken bones

•Muscle twitches or tremors

•Muscle spasms

•Bowed legs (when the deficiency is severe) 

 Why Doctors Are Also Keen on K 

 As the NIH also explains, vitamins D and K together “play a central role in calcium metabolism. Vitamin D promotes the production of vitamin K-dependent proteins, which require vitamin K to function properly. Evidence supports the notion that supplementation [with both] vitamins D and K might be more effective than the consumption of either alone for bone and cardiovascular health.”

 The Good News and the Bad News

Commonly referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” D3 can be naturally produced in the body following exposure to the sun­—but not everyone can or even should spend a lot of time exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can cause premature aging, cancer and other problems. 

 Foods such as fish, beef, liver, eggs and cheese naturally contain vitamin D3, but not everyone can or should eat enough of those foods.

 Explains registered dietitian Ryan Turner: “It can be hard to get enough D3 through food.” 

 The Better News

Fortunately, high quality D3+K2 supplements are available from a family-owned business that provides premium, scientifically proven fitness and wellness products. What’s more, these pills contain calcium. According to Johns Hopkins Medical School, taking these nutrients together reduces your risk of hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis and fractured bones.

 The firm’s mission is to help individuals achieve their health and fitness goals through clean and effective supplements with an emphasis on transparency, quality, and information to empower customers. Backed by science and empowered by nature, the company, EarthNutri, is commited to transparency and ensuring that only the most potent and pure ingredients make it into your hands. Its D3+K2 supplement is an excellent alternative way to get sunshine vitamin without sunburn, ultraviolet radiation, lactose or cholesterol.

With EarthNutri, what you see is what you get: Transparent, natural and powerful because the power is in the premium, U.S.-sourced ingredients. When you choose vitamins that provide both purity and potency, you can have peace of mind knowing you’ve done much to help your health. 

 Learn More

For further facts about supplements with premium ingredients, clean products, and powerful information that help you live your life to the fullest, visit www.earthnutri.com.

PLATTER PERSPECTIVE: Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Edna St. Vincent Millay

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Camden/Rockland native Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950) has been written about in this column previously.

However, I wish to commemorate her during this Memorial Day week for her switch from being an anti-war pacifist during World War I to supporting the U.S. government’s entry into World War II against the Axis powers. When she shifted her position, she antagonized most of her friends in literary circles but her frequently outspoken independence, integrity and courage to stand for what she believed in was unwavering. One commented that Millay “caught more flak for supporting democracy than poet Ezra Pound did for supporting fascism.”

She wrote essays and patriotic poems for the government propaganda office in Washington DC, and published one deservedly famous 1942 narrative poem, the 32-page Murder of Lidice, her response to the Nazi destruction of the Czech village and the massacre of its inhabitants in 1941, in reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard “Hangman” Heydrich.

A Columbia Masterworks three disc 78 set of an abridged reading of the poem by actor Basil Rathbone can be heard via the Internet Archive.org.

In 1943, MGM released a movie Hitler’s Madman, using quotes from the poem and starring John Carradine as Heydrich.

A few lines from the poem-

“The whole world holds in its arms today
The murdered village of Lidice
Like the murdered body of a little child…
Oh, my country, so foolish and dear,
Scornful America, crooning a tune,
Think, Think: are we immune?”

Millay and her husband had a home, Austerlitz, in upstate New York, where they lived out most of their later years; and a summer place, Ragged Island, on Casco Bay, near Portland. To label the couple free spirits is an understatement and the curious can begin with Wikipedia for more information.

Camden has a statue of the poet in Harbor Park overlooking Penobscot Bay.

Millay’s youngest sister provided a trove of material to Nancy Milford who wrote critically acclaimed biographies of both Millay and Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald and both ones I would like to read eventually.

Millay, by the way, preferred to be called Vincent instead of Edna – shortly before her birth, an uncle’s life was saved at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, in New York City.

A concluding quote from Millay – “It’s not true that life is one d__n thing after another; it’s one d__n thing over and over. Not truth, but faith, it is that which keeps the world alive.”