IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of February 8, 2018

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by Katie Ouilette

Well, WALLS, you sure know when to do the right thing! Surely our faithful readers were happy to receive your message, after our ice storm. The yards of our faithful readers may be cluttered with branches and all that goes with them, as our yard is. Now, those branches and green-things which they held are waiting as we are for Spring clean-up to begin! Actually, this column is being written on Ground Hog Day, as we went to Augusta yesterday. Yup, TV had the folks from Pennsylvania in their dress-up outfits, including tall hats, this morning showing us the ground hog of the day.

And, faithful readers, do you remember WALLS telling you all about finding stuff in my stuff? Well, here is a saying that was saved a while ago. “History is not a science, but a story that happened as we call up the past.” Well, that started you thinking, for sure, WALLS. Did I say that we went to Augusta yesterday? Well, actually, Lew and I went to Togus so that his hearing aid could be adjusted. I sat in the truck, as usual, but thought about Togus and all that it has meant to so many since its inception during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.

Imagine it, faithful readers. Imagine how many have been hospitalized since the Civil War and, as I sat in our Nissan pick-up truck, I saw veterans of all ages going to what is now the outpatient offices. Some had their drivers with them, because of their conditions. Yes, Togus was a very busy place with folks walking to their office-destinations and then some walking back to their automobiles with medications in white bags that had been given to them. Y’know, faithful readers, there is so much said about the care our veterans of all ages, male and female, are given in our U.S.A., but we in Maine can be very proud that our men and women, old and young, are well taken care of in Maine.

That brings another saying that you found when you helped me sort through my stuff, WALLS. Of course, we know it already, but the saying is, “there’s a genuineness about people in Maine that is hard to find in other places.” Well, blame can be attributed to George Smith, who tells us that we are so lucky to live in Maine, but WALLS, you and I, too, know that Maine is the best place to live and do business and be neighborly.

Give Us Your Best Shot! week of February 8, 2018

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BLINKSY’S BLUE JAYS: Michael Bilinsky captured these Blue Jays in China Village.

 

CARDINAL BEAUTY: Michael Bilinsky’s camera also caught a great shot of this beautiful female cardinal.

 

REPRINT: This cicada was photographed by Jayne Winters, of China. A photo previously printed did not reproduce properly. It was a technical error.

Have you taken a photo that highlights our local beauty? Visit our Contact page or email it to us at townline@fairpoint.net!

I’m Just Curious: More ideas to share

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by Debbie Walker

Before I forget it, I have to tell you that my car was so icy this morning, every window, the mirrors and the windshield, covered with ice. Okay, so I had read about putting rubbing alcohol (91 percent) in a spray bottle and spraying the ice surfaces and you shouldn’t have to use your scraper at all, I didn’t need to. Alcohol worked great. And you can leave it in the car, it won’t freeze!

Oh, and if your home windows frost up, yes it happens, just spray the window and this may also do away with future frost. Just use the alcohol in a spray bottle.

Well, I found what follows when I was going through my notebook of good ideas. If you know these already, maybe it will just serve as a “reminder:”

You can use some buttons as a holder for pierced earrings, wires or posts.

Really handy for traveling.

Shower curtain holders work for hanging scarves.

A&D ointment (in the baby section for shopping) for cracked heels.

You know those little round paper reinforces? Cut some in half. Great for doing your own French manicure. (Used myself, works great!)

Key rings can be used as zipper pulls. You can get different sizes.

If you have trouble with your chains getting knotted at home or traveling, insert one end through a straw and hook it. No knots.

Mess from boots by the door? Get a shallow kitty litter box, possibly a cover from a storage crate, a few rocks to lift the boots to drain. Lost one of a pair of post earrings? Use it as a push pin.

Wicker spruce-up: Mix 3/4 cup of ammonia and one gallon of water, into a spray bottle then spritz. It gets into difficult spots.

Sparkle your diamond – soak in 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/2 tsp. dish soap and one cup of warm water for 10 minutes then buff up with a cloth.

Smoke smell? Fill three bowls with ammonia and set them around anywhere you can smell it. It will neutralize the smoke.

Store cords in empty toilet paper rolls. Mark tube with info about cord.

Binder clips work to hold clothes on hangers.

On each end of a clothes hanger wrap a rubber band. It helps keep clothes from sliding off.

For whiter fingernails: Use a whitening toothpaste – scrub with tooth brush, let set five minutes and rinse.

Sticking a bag of charcoal in your basement should get rid of a musty smell.

A micro fiber cloth is more effective than a feather duster.

‘Til next week, I Am Just Curious, still. Find me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. Don’t forget, we are online too.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Living well with dementia in the community

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FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI)—The good news is, Americans are living longer than ever before. While longer life spans bring great opportunities, however, older adults face an increased risk of developing a chronic condition or cognitive disorder.

In fact, one in 10 people age 65 or older lives with some form of dementia. Symptoms include memory loss, language difficulty, a loss of motor function, and difficulty with problem solving.

See A Doctor

There’s no cure for dementia but early detection and treatment can greatly improve quality of life. In addition, reversible conditions—dehydration, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies—can have similar symptoms. So if you suspect you or a loved one is exhibiting any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

Resources Available

Many people with dementia require supportive services to maintain independence and increase well-being. That’s where the Eldercare Locator comes in. As the only national information and referral resource for issues affecting older Americans, it connects people who have dementia and their caregivers to a range of services. The Eldercare Locator is a program of the U.S. Administration on Aging, which helps older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices.

Learn More

For further facts and advice, visit www.eldercare.acl.gov or call (800) 677-1116.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Woodrow Charles – A gopher’s gopher makes another bold prediction

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

It’s that time when I have a love-hate reaction to this day. The love: It’s February and I get to go visit my gopher friend, Woodrow Charles. The hate: I have to trudge through snow, cold and wind to his lair in the woods of Center Vassalboro. Woody is a weather prognosticating groundhog that I visit every year for his prediction on the length of the remainder of winter.

Folklore has it that if Woody sees his shadow, we are in for six more weeks of winter-like weather. If he doesn’t see his shadow, we can look forward to an early spring.

So, I bundle up and head out. It’s a cold, sunny day. The snow is not deep, but there is ice as far as the eyes can see. Actually, with the sun shining on the icy surface, it is a rather beautiful sight, like diamonds spread out on the snow.

I finally arrive at Woody’s den. The light is shining through the window, and the smoke is billowing from the chimney. He’s home.

As I approach, I notice the Christmas wreath still hanging from the door. Kind of unusual for my little furry friend who is usually so meticulous about his surroundings. I knock gently.

Woody

Woody answers the door, dressed in a smoking jacket with an ascot, holding a glass of brandy and a cigar. He looks quite distinguished.

“Hi friend,” he greets me. “Come on in. Can I get you something?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“What brings you out here in this weather,” he asks.

“lt’s February,” I respond. “How come your Christmas wreath is still up, and what’s with the cigar?”

“Oh, I’ve been really busy,” he answers. “And the cigar is just a phase I’m going through, to kind of celebrate the moment.”

“How busy can you be,” I inquired.

“Well, the stock market is up, and I check my portfolio a couple times a day. I’m doing very well at this time. I’ve been trading and making moves. I’m investing in steel and concrete. Plus, with the new tax reform law that was just passed, I’m trying to figure out how that will affect my bottom line.”

“That’s only for really rich people,” I come back.

“Hey, my finances are my business,” he snaps back.

“That takes up all your time?” I ask.

“No, I also have to get ready for the Super Bowl. The boys are coming over again, and I have lots of cooking to do. You must remember Frank, Butch and Slim? By the way, they say ‘Hi,’”

“I’m glad they remember me. Why don’t you ever go to their place,” I ask reluctantly.

“What, and hang out in those drafty places where they hole-up for the winter. It’s much more comfortable here.”

“Any prediction?” I ask.

“It’s going to be a really tight game, as usual when it involves the Patriots. But I think they will win 27-17. Nick Foles will look like a backup quarterback against the Patriots defense, and Brady will, … well, Brady will be Brady.”

“No, I’m talking about the weather. It is Groundhog Day, you know.”

“Oh, that again,” he says with a sigh.

We both sit there, uncomfortable, for a moment. We glance at each other. What is he thinking?

“Well, if I must,” he snorts. “OK, February will bring below average precipitation and slightly colder weather, maybe one degree below normal. March will be warmer than normal, about five degrees above normal with about one inch above normal precipitation. It looks to me that we most probably will have another six weeks of winter, but with a possibility of an early spring.”

“Hey,” I interrupted. “You’re starting to sound like a weather man, even worse, a politician.”

“Isn’t that what you want,” he snaps back.

I guess he is right.

As I headed toward the door, I stopped, turned, and looked back.

“So, why concrete and steel?” I inquired.

“Don’t you read the news? Last, week the nine prototypes for the wall on the Mexican border were tested, and all contained either steel, or concrete, or both. I may as well get in on the action.”

I shook my head, turned and walked out the door.

“See you next year!” he called, as the door slowly closed behind me.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Which NFL player has scored the most individual points in a single Super Bowl game?

Answer here.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Violinist: Piotr Janowski; TV episodes by Nelufar Hedayat; Pop singer: Julee Cruise

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Mozart

4th Violin Concerto
Szymanowski Ist Violin Concerto – Piotr Janowski, violin; Stanislaw Wislocki conducting the Warsaw National Philharmonic; Stolat SZM 0105, stereo LP, recorded 1967-68.

Piotr Janowski

Polish born Piotr Janowski (1951-2008) recorded both of these Concertos when he was 16 years old but plays in a wonderfully matured, accomplished manner with musicality galore and a seasoned conductor and orchestra. The Concertos are richly rewarding listening experiences that hold up well. The Szymanowski is a very shimmering, coloristic piece that has become a big favorite of mine in recent years. Mozart’s joyous 4th, along with his 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Concertos, was finished by 1775, when he was 19 and would never write again for any solo string instrument. A record well worth the search.

The Traffickers

hosted by Nelufar Hedayat; produced by Fusion and available on Netflix; premiered November 13, 2016; approximately 41 minutes for each of 8 episodes.

Nelufar Hedayat

Recently I watched the first episode of what promises to be an interesting series of investigative journalism on the black market in illegal commodities, The Traffickers, with already seven additional programs available on Netflix. Its topics include human trafficking, fake pharmaceuticals, weapons, human organs, etc.

The host, Nelufar Hedayat, is a 30-year-old Muslim woman, who has traveled light years around the globe to follow up even the most minor threads to both heighten and bolster each weekly topic. The one I saw dealt with the wholesale poaching of the rhino population, mainly found in South Africa’s Kruger Preserve. It is one of huge profit and supposedly minimal risk. But researchers have found an average of three rhinos being killed daily, thus concluding that the population will end up extinct. The demand, mainly found in Southeast Asia, centers on the supposed healing of every known disease through grinding the powder of the rhino’s horn, a belief held since the Middle Ages. Secondly, the filthy rich enjoy the various trinkets carved and whittled from the horn, with which they flaunt their wealth .

Hedayat and her staff risk their lives talking to the involved criminal elements and depict the dangers to communities where the animals are processed.

Highly recommended!

Julee Cruise

Floating Into the Night
Warner Brothers, 4-25859, cassette, recorded 1989.

Julee Cruise

I have commented elsewhere on this cassette being one of the most beautiful albums of late ‘80s pop music I have ever heard. Julee Cruise, now 61, is a very talented singer who was provided a number of songs here by composer Angelo Badalamenti, all of them in the sweet, dream-like, ethereal category and music one can listen to or simply relax with. Cruise and Badala­menti both worked with director David Lynch who was then involved with his creation, Twin Peaks, a cult favorite among TV viewers, and were associated with some of Lynch’s other projects as well. The Wiki bio on Cruise is rather insightful and quite interesting.

IF WALLS COULD TALK: Native Americans originally from Asia

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Katie Ouilette WallsIF WALLS COULD TALK

by Katie Ouilette

Well, faithful readers, WALLS has definitely appreciated your concern about not having you to read in last issue of The Town Line. I think I typed and sent as always, but weather surely got in the way! Yes, we had ice, ice and more ice! Oh, well, it’s Maine and we recently read that Maine is a wonderful place to live, as it is too small to be a big town and too big to be a small town and everyone is a neighbor to each other. Nice and that is why I’m back to Maine twice!

Yes, I’ve also told you faithful readers that East Madison used to have seven industries and a boat that delivered mail to folks who lived on Lake Wesserunsett in summer and, yes, took folks to the trolley that was at Lakewood. Well, faithful readers, I sure did find a lot of history in my ‘stuff’ and will share it with you as time goes on.

What else did I find? Well, I found an incredible history of the first people to live in these borders when reading something that was printed on January 4, 2018.

WALLS, did you know that our Native Americans were originally from Asia? It seems there was, once, a Beringia. What’s a Beringia? Well, didn’t look the word up in the dictionary, because the article said it was, in its day, an earthen connector between Asia and North America. How did the discovery begin? Well, scientists found the body of a baby girl and her DNA told the scientists that they had made a great discovery! That Baringia enabled those who became the first Native Canadians and Americans a way to migrate south and east and ultimately set up their homes even in Africa (yes, if you studied history in school as I did, you know that our continents were connected at some place or at some time.)

Well, faithful readers, I think I’ve run out of space for this column, but never fear, there is a lot more information that will fascinate you. Yes, last week, I quoted a thought that our Senator Margaret Chase Smith had for us in Maine. Thanks for missing WALLS and the phone calls and maybe time will allow our senator’s thoughts to appear when WALLS TALK to you another time.

SOLON & BEYOND: Observations from budget committee meeting

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySOLON & BEYOND

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

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

After the Solon Budget Committee meeting had ended the other day, I went over and introduced myself to Keith Gallagher, who is running for the selectman position, and told him I write for The Town Line newspaper, and asked him if he would like to have me put something in the paper about this fact. He said he would like to and brought it down to me one day this past week. The following is what he wrote:

“My family and I moved to Solon in June 2016 from Montana. We have developed our property on Hole In The Wall Road into an off Grid Home. We are also striving to become self-sufficient . I am a father of four children under 10 years old. I have a strong faith in God and believe that living and acting with integrity is very important. I am a former successful business owner and put 110 percent into everything I do. I feel like Solon needs more involvement from younger people. I currently serve as vice chairman of the Solon Planning Board and look forward to serving Solon on a bigger scale.”

I also went over and spoke to Gaye Erskine, who is running for that same position, and told her the same thing, but at this writing, I have not received a response from her. Mary Lou Ridley is the selectperson not running again.

I have been rather bothered since that Solon Budget Committee meeting. Something happened there that I never would have dreamed would take place in Solon, Maine. The meeting started with the solute to the flag and one member of the committee did not stand and salute the American Flag. I am a strong believer that everyone has a right to their own opinions, but…. in this case, my thoughts are that America needs more Love than Hate.

And now for Percy’s memoir: Guidelines for Sane Living: 1. Strike a balance between work and play – between seriousness and laughter. Go to church regularly, and also to the ball game. 2. Stick with the truth, even if it makes you look or feel bad. Falsehoods are like wandering ghosts. 3. Forgive your enemies as part of the price you pay for the privilege of being forgiven. Realize you are sometimes a pain in the neck yourself. 4. Walk. Gets lots of air and sunshine, and occasionally get some rain or snow in your face, some dirt on your hands. 5. Talk through your troubles and mistakes with someone you trust–and your dreams too. 6. Don’t underestimate the ability of God to straighten out a situation even when you can’t, and give God a little time! 7. Discriminate among your fears. Learn to tell which ones are useful and which ones are destructive. 8. Remember that the ultimate death rate is still 100 percent. You would be getting short-changed if everyone got to die and you didn’t. 9. When you can’t sleep, say, “Aha! Here’s a chance fror a little privacy and creative thinking. All day I’ve been too busy to pray, and now I can get around to thanking God.” 10. Fall in love with life – with children, older people, (that’s hard to find for me these days!) middle agers, sports cars; the theater, music, books, cities, hills, the sea, the Bible – with everything except money. (words by James Angel) This from another one of those old yellowed papers I saved, not sure it kept me totally sane, but I hope it will help you, who may read it!

TECH TALK: My deep, dark journey into political gambling

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ERIC’S TECH TALK

by Eric W. Austin

I opened the door and stepped hesitantly into the dimly lit room. Curtains covered all the windows. The only light came from a half-dozen computer screens glowing menacingly in the darkness. A scary-looking German Shepherd slumped in one corner. She growled low in her throat as I came in, and then went back to scratching at imaginary fleas. She had seen it all before: just another poor sucker thinking it was possible to predict the future.

But this wasn’t some hole-in-the-wall gambling den in a seedy part of Augusta. It was my office at my house here in China, Maine. I sat down at my desk and pulled up the website PredictIt.org. Would I be up or down today?

PredictIt is a different kind of gambling website. Instead of betting on sports events or dog races, you bet on events happening in politics. For example, the Friday before the recent government shutdown, I pulled out of the “Will the government be shutdown on January 22?” market after quadrupling my initial investment. I got into the market two weeks earlier when I thought shares for ‘Yes’ were severely undervalued at only 16¢ a share. When I exited the market on Friday, my 20 shares were valued at 69¢ each. I should have held the line, but still not a bad return on investment in only two weeks. When in doubt, bet on the incompetence of the American Congress.

Called the “stock market for politics,” PredictIt is an experimental political gambling website created by Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. They work in partnership with more than 50 universities across the world, including the American colleges of Harvard, Duke and Yale.

Why would a bunch of academics be interested in political gambling? They’re studying a psychological phenomenon called “the wisdom of the crowd.” This is a theory that postulates that a prediction derived from averaging the opinions of a large group of diverse individuals is often better than the prediction from a single expert.

The way it works on PredictIt is pretty simple. Political questions are posed which have a binary response, usually ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Shares in either option cost between 1¢ and 100¢ (or $1). The value of shares is determined by the supply and demand of each market. In other words, if a lot of people are buying shares in the ‘Yes’ option, those shares will increase in value, and ‘No’ shares will decrease.

This set up allows one to quickly look at a share price and know how likely that particular prediction is of coming true. Will Trump be impeached in his first term? Since shares are currently at 37¢, that means the market thinks there’s a 37 percent chance of that happening. I own 15 ‘Yes’ shares in this market. Shares have increased by 4¢ (or 4 percent) since I entered the market several months ago (from 33¢ to 37¢), so my initial investment of $4.90 has increased by 65¢ to $5.55 as of today.

If you can think of a question related to politics, there’s likely a market for it on PredictIt. Will North Korea compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics? Currently likely at 94 percent. Who will be the 2020 Democratic nominee for president? At the moment, Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris hold the top spots. How many senate seats will the GOP hold after the mid-term elections? “49 or fewer” is the most likely answer according to investors on PredictIt.

What are the chances that events over the next year will change things up? There’s no market for that question on PredictIt, but I’d say it’s at least 100 percent. Of course, that’s exactly what makes the game so exciting!

I first entered the world of political gambling back in May. I’d become a bit of a news junkie during the 2016 election (Donald Trump is the news equivalent of heroin), and was looking for something to give meaning to the endless hours I spent following the machinations in Washington. Initially, I started with just $20. Later, I added another $25 for a total account investment of $45. I lost $8 on a couple of bets early on, and have spent the past six months trying to make up for the losses. This government shutdown drama put me back on top. According to my trade history, after more than 169 bets and minus any trading fees, I’m currently up by $9.96.

Okay, so the IRS is unlikely to come knocking on my door when I don’t report it on my taxes in April. Still, it feels good to be back in the black.

Eric Austin is a writer, technical consultant, and news junkie living in China, Maine. He can be contacted by email at ericwaustin@gmail.com.

Give Us Your Best Shot! Week of January 25, 2018

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LONG ROAD TO WINTER: Eric Austin, of China, captured this shot of the changing leaves last fall.

 

SNOWY OWL: Karen Willette, of China, photographed this Snowy Owl on the roof of her home recently.

 

ELUSIVE BUG: Jayne Winters, of South China, snapped this cicadae last summer.