SOLON & BEYOND: Annual inside sale planned, town in need of volunteers for youth sports

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

The Solon Congregational Church is once again hosting its annual Inside Sale, featuring a combination of crafters, venders and new/used sales (yard) sellers. Don’t miss out on reserving a space there this year. Lots of people look forward to getting out and shaking off the winter blues at this time of year! This event will be taking place on Saturday, April 28, at the Solon Elementary School. If you have questions you may call Jennifer Hebert at 643-2180 or 399-6510 or email at hebertjennifer@gmail.com.

Space reservations are mailed to: SCC PO Box 86, Solon, Maine 04979. Please make checks payable to: Solon Congregational Church. Thanks so much, Jennifer, for sharing this information.

Stopped in at the Solon Elementary School this morning to see if there was any newsletter out to share from there, but it wasn’t out yet. Teacher Terry Corson saw me there and told me some interesting news. On 98.1 Hous Skow Radio, the Solon Elementary School students will be reading poetry on the radio at different times.

I then went to the Solon Town Office to see if there was any news from there, and Leslie Giroux, who is involved in the Town Youth Program, said they need volunteers to help with the sports.

Have been trying to think about why I named this column, “Solon and Beyond” for the The Town Line? And if there was a matter of miles involved as to how far I could stretch this column for “Beyond?” Any way, I hope it takes in this exciting news, (for Lief, anyway). There will soon be a new shop, entitled, R C Destination at 415 Waterville Rd., in Norridgewock. Those of you who know Lief understand fully how much he is into airplanes and flying. This new shop will have, not just planes, but other items of interest as well. Lief had heard that the store in Oakland where he visited quite often for planes and parts had been sold, and there would be a new one starting up. This new one will be closer and we had been riding around quite a bit lately trying to find out where it was going to be. We got lucky one day last week and found it and the owner, Bob Gilcott at the new place of business that will be opening soon. Gilcott was very excited about this new venture he is undertaking. He plans on having other items as well as airplanes, I can’t wait to check it out! Will try and let you know when it is open for business.

Happyknits will be taking part in a display at the Portland Public Library, Lewis Gallery from April 5 through 28 as part of an exhibit entitled “Reverence to the Thread.”

Happyknis will also be participating in “Paint the Town Blue” Child Abuse Prevention sponsored by KVCAP, in Skowhegan. To support this important effort, Happykits will be donating $1 for every skein of blue yarn purchased on “Wear Blue Day,” Friday, April 6.

Lief and I enjoyed a family supper with Ellwood and Judy Ellis, in China, on the night before Easter, followed by lots of good conversation on family history. Judy is one of Lief’s nine sisters.

On Easter day following the church service, we had been invited to dinner with Mary, Dave and family in North Anson. Another wonderful meal, shared with family, we are indeed, blessed.

And so now for Percy’s memoir:

To show joy is to show love,
To show love is to know God,
To know God is to do good,
To do good is to spread happiness.

(words by Caroline S. Kotowicz.)

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Good Nutrition Made Easy For Older Adults

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(NAPSI)—Roughly 110 million adults in the U.S. are age 50 or older. If you’re one of them or know someone who is, there’s something you need to know: As you age, your nutrition needs change. You may become less active, your metabolism slows, and your ability to absorb some nutrients becomes less efficient. You need fewer calories to keep you going—which means the amount of nutrients in your food becomes even more important.

To help, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and nutrition scientists at the Jean Mayer U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, with support from AARP Foundation, created MyPlate for Older Adults.

What’s on MyPlate for Older Adults?

Based on the federal government’s guide to forming healthy dietary habits, MyPlate for Older Adults makes good nutrition easy. Even better, it helps seniors with fixed incomes select healthy foods within their budget. That includes showing how frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables can be wise alternatives to fresh produce.

MyPlate for Older Adults encourages eating whole grains, which are high in fiber, as well as plant-based proteins such as beans and tofu, along with fish and lean meat. Vegetables and fruits make up half the plate, reflecting the importance of eating several servings a day in a range of colors. MyPlate for Older Adults also recommends using herbs and spices instead of salt to season food. Cutting back on salt can have big health benefits—especially for older adults, who are at risk of hypertension.

You can use the MyPlate for Older Adults as a tool when you shop to help you decide on types and combinations of foods, and as a reminder that the foods you choose to eat should be rich in vitamins and minerals.

The rest of the recommendations include:

  • Brightly colored vegetables such as carrots and broccoli
  • Deep-colored fruit such as berries and peaches
  • Whole, enriched and fortified grains and cereals such as brown rice and 100 percent whole wheat bread
  • Low-fat and nonfat dairy products such as yogurt and low-lactose milk
  • Dry beans and nuts, fish, poultry and eggs
  • Liquid vegetable oils, soft spreads low in saturated and trans fats
  • Lots of fluids such as water and fat-free milk
  • Physical activity such as walking, resistance training and light cleaning.

Learn More

You can check out MyPlate for Older Adults and find more information about AARP Foundation at www.aarpfoundation.org/myplate.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Stink bug or pumpkin (squash) bug?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A reader called the office last week to inquire about a bug that resembles a ladybug, but is green in color. She was wondering if it was a pumpkin bug. Well, it very well could be.

The pumpkin bug, or squash bug, are also called stink bugs, but are not the traditional stink bug. Although some pumpkin bugs are called stink bugs, not all stink bugs are pumpkin bugs. If you ever spot a sizable green stink bug, there’s a good chance that it’s a pumpkin bug. They are similar in appearance to stink bugs because they both have a foul odor when squashed. However, stink bugs are wider and rounder.

squash bug

The squash bug, Anasa tristis, is common throughout the United States. It primarily attacks squash and pumpkins but can also attack other cucurbits, such as cucumbers.

They are the bane of a gardener. They are difficult to kill and can cause a lot of havoc.

The adult bugs are somewhat flat, large insects, measuring 5/8 inch long and 1/3 inch wide. They are usually dark gray to dark brown. The edges of the abdomens protrude beyond their wings and typically have alternating orangish and brown stripes. They are able to fly, however they often simply walk around on plants.

These bugs overwinter as adults in sheltered places, such as under plant debris, around buildings, or under rocks. When adults emerge in the spring, they fly to growing cucurbit plants to feed and mate. Females lay eggs individually in small clusters of about 20 commonly on the undersides of the leaves, especially between the veins where they form a V. The females usually begin to appear in gardens in early June, and continue to lay eggs through mid-summer.

These bugs have piercing-sucking mouth-parts they use to suck the sap out of leaves. This process produces yellow spots that eventually turn brown, and disrupts the flow of water and nutrients, which can cause wilting. Young plants are more susceptible to extensive damage. Larger, more vigorous plants are more tolerant of feeding damage, although they can also be injured or killed if they are severely attacked.

These bugs inject a toxin into the plant and suck the sap right out of it with their sharp mouthparts. This causes yellow spots that eventually turn brown. The leaves will wilt because the damage prevents the flow of nutrients to the leaves, and then they will dry up and turn black.

The most important times to control squash bugs are when the plants are young seedlings and when they are flowering. Early detection is important because adult squash bugs are difficult to kill.

Remove or knock off and kill nymphs and adults by dropping them into a bucket of soapy water. This can be challenging because the bugs hide under leaves and move quickly when disturbed.

Crush the eggs that are attached to the undersides and stems of leaves.

Trap the bugs by laying out boards or pieces of newspaper. The bugs will congregate under the boards at night, and then can be collected and destroyed in the morning.

Check your plants daily. If there are no more than a few vines infected, keep collecting and destroying the bugs and crushing the egg clusters that you find.

Insecticides are not generally needed to control these bugs. They can be used if cucurbits are found wilting early in the season. Carbaryl/Sevin is most effective if applied when eggs are hatching. Consult your local garden center for controls that are locally approved. When using an insecticide, make sure to read the instructions well.

Planting time is approaching. Make sure your garden is free of these little pests. There is no worse feeling than seeing your plants being destroyed and you have no idea what is causing it. Check under the leaves.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In addition to pitching a one-hitter in game two of the 1967 World Series, who became the first Red Sox pitcher to win the AL Cy Young Award in 1967?

Answer can be found here.

I’m Just Curious: I think it’s interesting

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by Debbie Walker

I think it’s interesting but do you? I have been into the magazines again; I once again, started just cutting articles out with no thought of what magazines the ideas came from. So I apologize to those writers for not being able to give them credit they are due.

Since I have no depth perception at all, as my brother told me, I was pleased to come across these: a quarter is nearly an inch in diameter and one foot is 16 pennies laid in a row. A dollar is approximately 6-1/2 inches. While we are still playing with money did you know a penny, nickel or a dime can be used as a flathead screw driver? Did you ever think of using a coin or two to steady a wobbly table? You can also use a penny inserted into a tire tread with Lincoln’s head upside down, if you can see his whole head your tires are worn out!

Don’t throw out that empty cardboard egg carton just yet. I read you can rest your laptop on it to prevent overheating. You don’t want to leave them on a pillow or blankets, seems harmless but….

Garden starter; use those disposed egg shells and cartons with a little soil to get a head start on the garden.

Although I wouldn’t recommend trying this one I had to see if you reacted as I did to the advice. I question the intelligence of this:

How to tell how hot your grill is without a thermometer: The writer claimed this tip is chef-tested (?) and trusted method. Hold your hand palm side down over the grill, about four inches from the grate. “Count the seconds you can stand (?) to keep your hand there. 2 seconds = high heat, 3-4 seconds medium heat, etc.” I have one comment “How Stupid!”

According to an Almanac Throwback of 1894, dandelions, young milkweed (?), mustard (?), horseradish (?) tops, young beet tops, cowslips (?) and turnip tops are good for greens. The ones I question marked I have questions about, imagine that! Do all of the questioned ones grow wild? And I think fiddleheads should be in this list. I love greens!!

I cruised the 2018 Farmer’s Almanac and decided to share the 11 symbols that make people think of America. They are: American Bald Eagle, Apple pie, American Bison, The Flag, Fourth of July Parade, White Picket Fences, Norman Rockwell Illustrations, Thanksgiving, Uncle Sam, Statue of Liberty, and Little red wagons!

I didn’t know how talented chickens are in gardening. It seems in the spring they are the aerators and tillers. In the summer their specialty is pest and weed control. Fall finds the chickens busy with the clean-up and fertilization. Winter is for composting, maintenance and spring prep. (even in Maine?) Who knew those little critters kept so busy and how important they are. I just thought of them in terms of my Sunday morning breakfast supplies!

Okay, I am just curious if this column gave you info you didn’t know. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com with your questions or comments. And don’t forget we are also online.

Thanks for reading!

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Singer/Songwriter: John Prine; Album: Ralph Towner/Gary Burton; Movie: Angel and the Badman

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

John Prine

John Prine

The first time I heard singer/songwriter John Prine, now 71, was at the Gorham gym, of what is now the University of Southern Maine, during the spring of 1972. He was the opening act for Lighthouse, was totally new to me and failed to make any impression .

Even his incredible fame over the 47 years that have elapsed since then never stirred my curiosity – that is until just over two weeks ago. While surfing YouTube, I chanced upon a 2011 post featuring him singing a duet with Iris Dement, who has been a favorite singer of mine for at least 25 years.

The song was In Spite of Ourselves with these opening lines; “She don’t like her eggs all runny/She thinks crossin’ her legs is funny/She looks down her nose at money/She gets it on like the Easter Bunny/She’s my baby/I’m her honey/I’m never gonna let her go.”

I won’t quote further because the lyrics go a bit over the top but they are a celebration of true love between a couple who each have two verses to “extol” each other. And, yes, the song was written by Prine and featured on a 1999 album as the title one. He had Dement in mind for the duet. His wife called the singer to tease her about the lyrics, while Dement took a period to gather the courage to record it.

The song became a much requested hit; there are numerous YouTubes from over the last 19 years in which Prine sings with Dement, Emmy Lou Harris and others, not to mention other couples.

Ralph Towner/Gary Burton

Matchbook; ECM records, ECM-1056, stereo LP, recorded 1975.

This very exquisite, delectable album is a collaboration between two very gifted players – guitarist Ralph Towner, now 78, and the presently 75-year-old vibraphonist, Gary Burton. It assembles some of the most captivating “soft” jazz to be heard anywhere, yet not in the superficial, commercialized mode of a few other performers, especially from the ‘70s when such muzak really thrived.

The nine selections include seven original Towner compositions, the Adolf Comden, Betty Green and Leonard Bernstein, Some Other Time, and Charlie Mingus’s Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. The album is one I shall return to.

Often during the past 47 years, I would confuse Burton, with another Gary who was also a wonderful vibraphonist, was born the same year, 1943, as Burton, but died very tragically at the age of 38 in 1971 – namely, Gary MacFarlane !

Angel and the Badman

starring John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Sr., Bruce Cabot, Tom Powers, etc.; directed by James Edward Grant; Republic Pictures, 1947, 100 minutes, VHS cassette.

John Wayne

John Wayne is a gunslinger who served as Wyatt Earp’s deputy at OK Corral but is running from an otherwise questionable past. Gail Russell portrays the Quaker maiden who falls in love with him. The very engaging actor, Harry Carey, Sr., is the sheriff in pursuit of Wayne while Bruce Cabot appears as another outlaw also gunning for JW. Due to space, all I can say is that I love this film for its plotting, pacing, character development, phenomenal performances from every cast member and the most splendid concluding confrontation scene and aftermath. Finally, there are moments when Carey comes very close to stealing the show; his death within a year was a major blow to cinema!

John Wayne was a very caring friend to Gail Russell, who was an extremely shy, vulnerable woman and who would succumb to alcoholism at the age of 36 in 1961, despite Wayne’s very caring and frequent help and support.

SOLON & BEYOND: Local pastor undertakes mission trip to Uganda

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

Several columns ago I told you that Pastor Tim Hunt of the New Hope Evangelical Free Church, in Solon, was going on a mission trip to Uganda. He sent me a very interesting and inspiring letter telling about his trip and I take great pleasure in sharing it with you.

From Pastor Tim: ” We have all had “profound moments” in our lives. February 5 – 16, 2018, was one of those times for me. While our wives stayed home to shovel snow and tend the wood fires, three other pastors and I went on a mission trip to Uganda, Africa. to encourage and minister to Ugandan pastors. It was an awesome time, a challenging time, a rewarding and fulfilling time. There were heart-wrenching moments, but there were times of fun and laughter, too. There was great fellowship as we four American pastors served together. Above all, it was a”God-moment” in time for each of us as our horizons were broadened and we saw the struggles, the joy, and the faith of our Ugandan brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you who supported me financially on this trip and who prayed for me and my colleagues as we ministered in that beautiful country. Here is a brief summary of what we did there.

On February 5, three pastors – Bob Emrich, Tom Brown, and I left Boston on an eight-hour flight to Amsterdam. There we connected with the fourth member of our team, Jerry Conklin, from Oregon, before another nine-hours to Entebbe, Uganda, where we stayed overnight in a brand new hotel. The next day, Wednesday, we traveled to our destination – the Kalungu District – which is just southwest of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.

Thursday and Friday we had Bible conference at Faith Bible School where each of us spoke for an hour session via a translator, with Q & A both days. Then in the evenings, we divided into two groups of two and had two one-hour Bible studies in two local churches nearby. It was impressive to that these Bible School students, after being in a conference all day, walked a mile to get two more hours of Bible teaching in the evening. These student-pastors are hungry to learn the Word of God.

Saturday was the first graduation of Faith Bible School. What a privilege to be there and experience and excitement of the nineteen students and their families as they received their diplomas! This was quite an achievement for them, as they also have to work long hours in their gardens just to feed their families.

Sunday the four of us went to different churches in the area. I was to go to one that was a half-hour drive away. I was to be picked up at 9:30 a.m. However, my ride never came. Just after 9:30 a.m., a small motorcycle arrived (with a live turkey tied to the back), and thinking this might be my ride I inquired. The driver declined. Forty minutes later my ride did come, and I had a great time ministering in Pastor Joel’s church for the remainder of the morning and early afternoon. Many of those in Uganda were amazed that we Americans would come all the way to Uganda to the poor countryside to teach them the word of God.”

In this letter that I received from Tim it goes on to tell of some of the other churches they visited on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, I found this one quite interesting: ‘Richard pastors a church where there are rural farms. We literally followed a cow path to the church location. Richard leaves home on his motor-cycle for Bible School at 5 AM, picks up student #2, then goes and picks up student #3 and travels for three hours (three men on a bike) to arrive at school by 8 a.m.’”

On Thursday they headed back to Kampala and ultimately home sweet home.

And so for Percy’s memoir:

May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

(There wasn’t any name to say who wrote these words, but I hope they help you.)

IF WALLS COULD TALK: March 17 has more meaning to me than St. Patrick’s Day

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Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

WALLS, you sure have been busy this week! Frankly, if I were you, I’d begin by wishing The Town Line congratulations for bringing the news to everyone, at least to everyone in these parts, for 30 years. We should also thank Gary and Trish Newcomb for their being the founders of The Town Line. Like all things, time does change us along life’s way, but everyone who knows The Town Line must be especially grateful to Roland Hallee, since, as managing editor, he has carried the good works of The Town Line for all faithful readers since 2005. Actually, I have to admit that I had been writing this column for another newspaper. When that newspaper became history, I received a call from Roland and here you and I are, WALLS.

Well, that paragraph was easy, but, yes, WALLS was very busy this week. It all began on St. Patrick’s Day, as that was daughter’s birthday and Chuck planned a wonderful party for her. Then, in my ‘stuff’ there was a write-up with the heading “Did You Know?” Yes, faithful readers, do you know that St. Patrick was born in 389 and died in 461? Wow! He was the son of a Romano-British official, Calparius. When St.Patrick was captured by raiders at age 16, he was carried and became a slave in pagan Ireland. Six years later, he escaped and returned to Britain when he was about 22 years old. He studied at the monastery of Lerins. He was ordained, sent to Ireland, founded the Church of Armagh, which is now known as St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral. Yes, there he converted the Irish.

Now, Lynn’s birthday was on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, and then Skowhegan celebrated Governor Abner Coburn Day, per declaration issued by the Skowhegan Selectmen.

However, Governor Coburn was a very generous man and the name Coburn has been mounted on buildings all across the country. He was generous in death, also, and left money to have the Skowhegan Free Public Library built.

Attorney “Rob” Washburn was the one who delivered the Coburn message on March 22, while Evalyn Bowman and Shirley Whittemore served refreshments to all who attended. Oh, lest I forget, John Harlow was videographer for the event, in case you get Ch. 11 on your TV.

Today, there were so many folks attending Maine Maple Saturday and Sunday, and Kristina, Director of Skowhegan Main Street, you surely did a wonderful bit of organizing for all of us to enjoy.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: A Honey Of A Solution To Rough, Dry Skin

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(NAPSI)—When Mother Nature sends enough rough weather to make it tough to keep skin smooth, the good news is she also created a way to soften it up again. Notably, honey and other products you may already have right in your own kitchen.

Why Save The Skin You’re In

Skin is the body’s largest organ. It protects the other organs, makes you sensitive to touch and literally keeps you from evaporating. If it’s itchy, dry and cracked, it can affect your health and happiness.

Fortunately, honey is a pure, botanical product at an economical price point. It’s a natural humectant, meaning it takes moisture from the air and traps it. These healing, moisturizing qualities are why many expensive cosmetics contain premium honey. Raw honey is even used to help treat wounds and prevent scarring and it encourages growth of new tissues while hydrating skin. Honey naturally leaves skin soft and supple. It also fights off bad bacteria, tightens pores, protects skin from sun damage, and moisturizes.

Dry Skin Remedy Recipes

Here are two simple ways Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey can help your skin feel more supple.

Aunt Sue’s Dry Skin Remedy

This soothing, dry-skin solution is easy and effective, taking only minutes to make with three simple ingredients.

1 tablespoon Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey
1 teaspoon olive oil
Juice from ½ a lemon

Mix honey, olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl. Apply lotion to dry areas and let sit for 20 minutes. Wipe off with a warm washcloth. Repeat as needed.

Homemade Honey Hand Balm

Easy to make, this hand balm does wonders for dry skin and can be used as a lotion, hair conditioner or cuticle cream, as well.

½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup almond oil
5 tablespoons beeswax pastilles
1 tablespoon shea butter
1 ½ tablespoons Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey
10−20 drops of lavender oil
8-ounce glass jar, or several small tins with lids

Combine all ingredients except the honey and lavender oil into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals for two minutes or until all ingredients have melted. Mix in the honey and lavender oil and immediately pour into the jar. Let cool to room temperature. To reach desired texture, melt the balm again and add or remove beeswax or lavender oil.

Aunt Sue’s Raw & Unfiltered Honey is pure, U.S. honey, produced by the Sioux Honey Association Co-op, representing 275-plus independent beekeepers and nearly 100 years of honey-producing experience.

Learn More

For further honey facts, tips and skin care recipes, go to www.siouxhoney.com/beauty.

SPORTS & OUTDOORS: Efforts needed to save our moose from ticks

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 73 percent of hunters harvested a moose during the last season. This was done despite warm spells in both September and October.

There were 2,080 permits issued, and 1,518 hunters were successful. That would lead you to believe that moose are plentiful.

Relatively speaking, this may be true. However, research by the department seems to indicate a drastic decline in our moose population. Once estimated at 90,000 moose, the population today could be as low as 50,000. With a substantial decline in the moose population also came the 50 percent reduction in moose permits issued last fall.

According to figures from the MDIFW, that is significant. The 73 percent success rate is consistent with the 71 percent success rate for moose hunters over the past five years. This is compared to turkey hunters who are generally about 30 percent, bear hunters are successful 25 percent of the time, while deer hunters in Maine are successful about 15-20 percent of the time.

However, in an interview with the Bangor Daily News, Maine moose biologist Lee Kantar stated that the reduction in moose permits has a negative impact on guides, sporting camps and rural Maine towns.

Kantar conducted a survey where 83 moose were captured and collared in early January in northern and western Maine.

“The thing that’s the challenge is that there’s no perfect data on how many moose are in any of those areas,” Kantar told reporter John Holyoke. What is causing this reduction in moose numbers? Kantar summed it up in one word: ticks!

In order to attempt to assess the population, DIF&W utilizes aerial flights to study the composition of the moose herd. Biologists also examine teeth from the moose to determine the animal’s age, measure antler spread, and monitor the number of ticks a moose carries, and examine cow ovaries in late fall to determine reproductive rate.

“Ultimately, we want to know about survival rates about cows and calves because they’re so crucial to our moose population, and whether we have growth or decline in stability,” Kantar told Holyoke. “We want to be able to predict at least the near future so we can satisfy what the public wants.”

In a press release from the MDIF&W, Kantar noted, “High success rates for moose hunters in northern Maine are consistent with what we are seeing with our moose survival study. Adult survival rates are consistently high in our study areas, and calf survival rates are higher in our northern Maine study area compared to our western Maine study area.”

Weather impacted many hunters, particularly in the first week of the season. Moose tend to travel less and spend more time in cover when it’s hot. It was also noted that hunter effort also declines during these periods.

However, despite all the efforts in studying moose, including analyzing blood, hair and fecal samples, and conducting a tick count, there still hasn’t been a way to prevent ticks from killing the moose.

Ticks continue to be a major nuisance in our surroundings. Maybe the answer lies in letting Mother Nature do it on her own, because sometimes human interference does nothing but make things worse.

In my article last week, I explained how it has been found that the presence of opossum could dramatically impact the tick population. But do the opossum have a place in our environment, and would their presence be detrimental to other animals in their respective regions?

The legislature’s IF&W committee has to come up with answers. It would behoove them to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In 2010, what Red Sox rookie became the only player in AL history to hit a grand slam home run on the first pitch of the first at-bat of his career?

Answer can be found here.

I’m Just Curious: I just didn’t know!

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by Debbie Walker

This column’s information came from Reader’s Digest “Extraordinary USES for ordinary things.” Some evenings I get caught up in the little bits of info and can’t wait to pass it on….. to you!!!!

My favorite “Did you know?” is in the 1920s when an employee of Johnson & Johnson, because of his accident prone wife, invented Band-Aids. He came up with the idea of sticking gauge pads to tape, covering with crinoline then rolling them back up. If his wife got cut or burned she could cut one off…ta-daaa a Band-Aid!!!

My mom says “tin foil” and I say “aluminum foil.” Household foil was made of tin until 1947 when aluminum foil was brought home. Did you know that one?

I knew baking soda had a lot of uses. Recently, I was educated on how to make “Slime” by my niece Haliegh. That’s one use and there are all the known uses. What I had never realized was its usefulness in putting out fires. Keep baking soda near the stove, barbecue, a box or two in the garage, and I am keeping a couple boxes in my truck from now on.

There has always been talks about beers in the past proclaiming New England or Rocky Mountains as their homes, oh and “Milwaukee’s finest,” and, of course, now we have all kinds of new beers right here in Maine! But did you know Pennsylvania has been home to more breweries than any other state?

Bubble Wrap wallpaper? They may have been thinking of padding cells that would make more sense than thinking I want that on my wall for decorating. My niece and I would have a ball breaking the bubbles! And yes, the inventers eventually went into packing supply business.

Thankfully my mom was not one of those “Castor Oil” mothers. Not only fed to kids, it’s also was used in paints, varnishes, lipstick, hair tonic, and shampoo. It was also used in plastics, soap, waxes, hydraulic fluids and ink. Thank you, Mom, for never feeding that to us.

Okay, we are switching now to my OMG Facts calendar for last year for just a note or two. I have no idea if any of it is true; however some seem funny enough to be true:

The Statue of Liberty wears a size 879 sandal.

The meaning of the phrase “Pipe Dream” refers to ideas thought up while smoking opium.

The Barbie doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. (I had no idea!)

Barbie’s life-size measurements would be 39-23-33, standing 7 feet, 2 inches tall with a neck twice the length of a normal human’s neck.

For my Florida friends: there are more plastic flamingos in the United States than real ones (and most of those are in Florida! Ha Ha!!)

As usual, I am just curious what tidbits you might have tucked away. Please contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com with your questions or comments. Don’t forget to check out us online!