I’M JUST CURIOUS: Thoughts and ideas

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by Debbie Walker

Every year I try to think of a unique Christmas gift for my grandchildren who are both now adults with their own families. However, I am still Nana Daffy (they named me that when Blake was learning to talk) just as when they were children. I see no reason to change either the name nor this tradition.

When the kids got old enough to have a preference in clothes, music, games, etc., I didn’t want to try to please them. It was easier to dream up something different or unique.

I started out first sending them on day trips to places like Museum of Science, in Tampa, (MOSI), Weeky Wache, in Spring Hill, or Silver Springs Attraction, in Ocala, all in Florida. Then things got too expensive, so, again, I switched.

Next, I bought them things they were going to need for their dorm or their future homes. I started with the small things I find handy in my kitchen, like my favorite spatula or my little knife. From there it went to the bigger stuff like a toaster. Oh yeah, and kitchen gifts from me were always wrapped with aluminum foil. There really was a reason for it the first year but don’t have a clue why I did it. The aluminum foil was gathered and rolled into a ball that would last them all year until the next Christmas.

Blake went off to college and his first apartment and pleased his roommates with a good amount of their kitchen needs being supplied by him. Tristin, my granddaughter, started out in her first home with a partially established kitchen, also.

There has now come a time when they really don’t need anything I can afford, so now I am working on weird stuff. This year will be my best so far, I hope. Previously, I have found things that aren’t really common, so we have a guessing game. Whoever guesses the use gets to keep it. So far this year I haven’t found anything.

Do you know what a loofah is? I knew it was a sponge, but I thought they were like the ones they dive for in Tarpon Springs

Did you know that a loofah sponge starts out as a vegetable/gourd? I wrote vegetable because you can eat the young plant but allowed to grow it is a gourd. (Did you know that even a watermelon is from a gourd family?)

I explained to my neighbor, Glen, what I would like to do. I wanted to plant the seeds and document the process traveled. I looked for seeds and couldn’t find them locally. Glen got on the computer, and found and ordered the seeds. When received he proceeded to plant and care for my (?) plant. The vines have grown so they are a lot taller than me.

So now I have to continue to take pictures and the information about the process, all into a little booklet to go with each sponge on Christmas morning. I can’t wait to tell them the whole story! I will let you know how I make out with peeling off the outside of the plant to find the fibrous and seeded center. The seeds must come out. From what I have read there are a lot of seeds. We will have to get them all out and hang on an outside line in the sun to dry and for the sun to bleach the sponge.

The kids will get a laugh about the gift. I will let you know as the process continues.

I am curious how many of you knew it started out as a veggie. Questions or comments contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org. Thanks again for reading and have a great week.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Singer: Petula Clark; the Cates Country Store

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Petula Clark

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Petula Clark

I Know a Place
Jack and John. Warner Brothers 5612, seven inch 45 vinyl disc, recorded 1965.

Now 88, singer Petula Clark achieved fame in England and Europe before hitting paydirt over here. Downtown, This Is My Song, and Don’t Sleep in the Subway are megahits for the best reasons-they are beautiful songs beautifully sung. She had producer Tony Hatch working the arrangements enhancing her singing numerous times. In fact, if she ever made a bad record, I don’t know of it.

I Know a Place may be my favorite of the group with its spirited rhythms and upbeat musicality. It took a few hearings to like the B side, Jack and John, but it too exudes charm.

In 1968, she hosted a tv special and sang a duet with Harry Belafonte during which she locked arms with him. A representative of the sponsor Chrysler wanted another take used in which Clark stood at a distance from Belafonte because he feared a backlash in the Deep South. Clark refused, she destroyed all other takes of the duet, and the special made television history , receiving an Emmy nomination.

Continuing with Coffin’s Kennebec Crystals:

“In the clear dawn next day, along a hundred roads that led down to the Kennebec, farmers were trudging, mustaches hanging down to the woolen mufflers like the tusks on the walrus. Brown mustaches, golden ones, black ones, gray ones and white. But every one in front of a man. And behind them steamed their wealth, on its own feet. Tall, sinewy sons, out of school for good and on the doorstep of manhood and marriage, horses with hides like scrubbed horse chestnuts, big of hoof and billowy of muscle, fattened on corn, sharp shod, with long calks of steel that bit into the frozen ground. Here you could reckon up a man’s prosperity in solid tangible things, as in the days of Jacob and Laban. Goods with the breath of life in them. Like Job’s. The richest man was one who had nine or ten strong men to follow the swing of his creasing trousers in ringing ironed shoes. Or three or four spans of horses with the morning star in their forehead and the music of steel under their feet. So the wealth of the Kennebec came down to the harvest of Maine’s best winter crop in the eighties.”

More next week.

* * * * * * *

A note on Vassalboro, Maine, history, the Cates Country Store (which was in family hands from when it was built in 1824 to when it was sold in 1971 to new owners) had ice deliveries from a horse drawn wagon well into the 1920’s. A gentleman, who drove such a wagon and knew my grandfather, Harold Cates (1881-1953), his father George Henry Cates (1852-1938) who ran the store for 65 years from 1873 until he died and other relatives employed in the store, used to park his car down by the Civil War monument during the early 1960’s to read his newspaper and I made his acquaintance. His name was Oscar Tubbs, he lived on the Cushman Road in Winslow in an old house with a long driveway and he told some fascinating stories about those years.

SOLON & BEYOND: Zander’s story

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

Good morning, my friends. Don’t worry, be happy.

Percy started out as a stray kitten and was rescued by a family on Route 43. They called and told me about this sweet little female kitten that needed a home and it was love at first sight. I named her Faith, but as luck would have it, on the first trip to the vet, I found out that a boys name was needed instead. After a short time this little kitten started his true personality and hence Perseverance, or Percy for short. Percy has many talents besides being a good cuddler, he is always at the door to welcome me home loves to sing, (Amazing Grace) is his favorite song). He has become famous and much loved for his good advice in the columns I have written. As you can see from his picture, he is very intelligent and he’s promoting this book of meditation-for-cat lovers.

Don’t know how many of you may have seen my grandson, Zander Walz in the commercial on TV promoting education and its importance, and I admit I’m really proud of him and perhaps a trifle biased. Anyway, he showed me this true story he wrote, and I thought it was so good that it should be shared.

Zander’s story:

Many moons ago in a time far away, I was studying in the library minding my own business when I saw it. It descended from the sky, a spider hanging from the sky, a spider hanging from its web so massive, so enormous, that it would put fear in the lives of most mortal men. But I am no ordinary mortal man. As I looked at the creature, and it looked into my eyes, it saw for the first time what fear was! In the battle that would take place, it was truly a battle of the titans. As I swiftly made my move, I came onto the spider delivering the first blow with a rolled up piece of paper that sent this foul creature flying in the other direction. As the spider went hurling through the air, it was strong enough to hold on to its web, and like an arrow launched from a bow, it came back at me at full speed with a vengeance. If it wasn’t for my cat-like reflexes and my ability to move like the wind it surely would’ve been a deathblow toward me. As I parried and deflected, I gave the spider a second blow. At this time it hurled the spider towards the floor, and to its favor, it was suddenly camouflaged in the carpet. I was now fighting an unseen foe. All too soon, it became apparent to both of us that the battle had become a game of wits. As I searched for the beast it was unknown to me that it stealthily was creeping on towards me with venomous intent.

Thanks to a witness who was observing the battle at a safe distance, she pointed out to me where the spider was. As I looked at the spider, it knew that the end of its life had come. But that did not stop it from trying to take me with him. I placed the paper over his body and delivered a decisive blow which would have killed any ordinary spider…… but as you can tell by now, this was no ordinary spider. The infuriated spider struggled and fought and, my friend, I must say it wasn’t until the third blow that the spider was finally done in.

The spider’s body broken and the legs still quivering it knew the end was coming. Looking at me I heard the last words coming from his last breath. “I will shrink in size so no one will know how massive I really was and no one will believe the battle that took place here in the library. And with that, the brave spider died. Honoring my opponent, I took his lifeless body and placed it in a garbage can right next to some very stale French fries. I can only imagine it is there to this very day.

(I really think that when I finally retire from writing, Zander would be a good one to take my place!)

There is an invitation to a very special event in our area. The bridge between Solon and Embden on Route 201-A will be renamed the Jotham and Emma Stevens Bridge, commemorating the service of Mr. and Mrs. Stevens in operating the last ferry service between the two towns. Please join us for this special event honoring the Stevens family. Please share with others who would like to attend. The date is July 23, at 2 p.m.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Browntail moth produces one generation per year; timing is important

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A browntail moth nest.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

The browntail moth continues to be in a lot of conversations. Now that the caterpillar is all but gone, the moth is abundant, and is the carrier of the next generation. That is why experts say they need to be dealt with now before the next round of caterpillars are hatched.

After they were sighted in all 16 Maine counties, and countless Mainers itching the blistery rash, it appears the worst may be over for the year’s browntail moth caterpillar infestation.

In April, experts predicted this summer would be the worst for browntail moth caterpillar infestations since the invasive insect arrived in Maine 100 years ago. They were right.

The browntail moth is an invasive species found only on the coast of Maine and Cape Cod. Over the last few years, it has been moving inland. This moth is an insect of both forest and human health concern.

The browntail moth caterpillar has tiny poisonous hairs that cause dermatitis similar to poison ivy on sensitive individuals. People may develop dermatitis from direct contact with the caterpillar or indirectly from contact with airborne hairs. The hairs become airborne from either being dislodged from the living or dead caterpillar or they come from cast skins with the caterpillar molts. Most people affected by the hairs develop a localized rash that will last for a few hours up to several days but on some sensitive individuals the rash can be severe and last for several weeks. The rash results from both a chemical reaction to a toxin in the hairs and a physical irritation as the barbed hairs become embedded in the skin. Resp­iratory distress from inhaling the hairs can be serious.

One of The Town Line’s supporters, while out for his daily walk, picked up this leaf from the side of the road. It is two browntail moths with the egg sacks attached. Inside each of those sacks are around 400 eggs.

Caterpillars are active from April to late June. Hairs remain toxic throughout the summer but get washed into the soil and are less of a problem over time.

Pursuant to Maine Statute Title 22, §1444, the Director of Maine CDC can declare an infestation of browntail moths (BTM) as a public health nuisance. The declaration may be made on the director’s initiative or upon petition by municipal officers.

I’ve spoken with folks who believe there will be another round of browntail moth caterpillars and their toxic hairs this fall.

Usually, when I write about certain creatures of the forest, I rarely go into great detail on the reproductive cycle, mostly because of space. But I’m making an ex­ception this week so we can see why now is the time to act on browntail moths.

The brown-tail moth produces one generation a year. It has four life stages; egg, larval, pupal, and adult. Eggs are laid in July and hatch in August. The annual cycle is approximately one month as eggs, nine months as larvae, one month as pupae, and one month as winged, sexually mature adults.

Eggs are preferentially laid on oak trees.

Pre-diapausing larvae (caterpillar): Emerge and feed gregariously starting in August after about three weeks of egg incubation.

Diapausing larvae: As a response to shortened periods of daylight, larvae build communal winter nests in the fall, inside of which they overwinter. These involve webbing, binding leaves together at tree-top branch tips. Distinct from other communal moth larvae such as eastern tent caterpillar which over-winter as eggs, then create webbed nests in branch crotches during spring and summer. Should you see a nest, cut it down and, preferably, burn it.

Post-diapausing gregarious larvae: The emerging larvae, approximately three-eighths of an inch long, resume feeding in early April synchronized with bud break, and still inhabit the winter nests as their resting places, or else make communal web-nests. These small larvae will also detach from trees and fall to the ground, then search for new trees.

Post-diapausing dispersive larvae: Once larvae reach late instars, colonies break up and larvae start feeding independently.

Pupation: Larvae pupate in June after six to eight instars.

Emergence: Imagoes (winged, sexually mature adults) appear about one month later; mate, lay eggs and die.

One of the remedies going around right now calls to fill a bucket with Dawn dishsoap (only Dawn will do) and water. Place a light near the bucket to attract the moth, which is nocturnal but attracted to light. The moths will fall in the bucket, and the soap will prevent the moth from taking flight. In the morning, dig a hole and bury the moths. Some friends have tried it and they say it works.

CICAEDA PREDICTS FIRST FROST

Well, it’s July and guess what usually happens: the cicaeda made its first appearance of the year on Saturday, July 17. We only heard it twice, but it was there. You know the old folklore, when you first hear the cicaeda’s call, the first killing frost will occur 90 days later, following the full moon, which this year, puts that date at October 20.

Isn’t it awful to be talking about frost already.

MOUNTAIN LION SIGHTING

Last week, I received another email from a reader reporting a Mountain Lion sighting. The email stated: “This week, a large cat was creeping across our property as my wife was letting out our [German] shepherd. The shepherd doesn’t chase deer but gave a hard chase of what I assumed [at first] was a bobcat. My wife said the cat was tawny [in color], had a long tail and was the same size as our shepherd (75-80 lbs.).”

It seems there have been more frequent sightings recently, but the “experts” continue to dispel their existence in Maine.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Which Red Sox pitcher has recorded the most wins at Fenway Park?

Answer can be found here.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Open minded?

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by Debbie Walker

How open minded are you? Maybe you have done things one particular way for years, can you try something else at least once? Ooops, maybe twice. Foggy mirrors in your bathroom are a nuisance. I am offering you two ways to maybe prevent the problem.

Number 1 is to clean your mirror with regular shaving cream. Spray it on, wipe it off. Try that for a few days. Number 2, make sure you use a second mirror. Rub cucumber flesh over the mirror. This will leave a thin film that repels water droplets. The two mirrors allow you to compare the results.

Okay, you made it through two examples of difference, how about some oldies but goodies? Medicinal, that is. The information came from my June issue of First magazine, and I have no idea who the author is but the name of the article is The Best Oldie-Goodie Cures. I hope they don’t mind my sharing it with you. As always with anything medical, check with your doctor with any questions.

Remove warts with aspirin: Rub a crushed aspirin on a wart before bed and cover with duct tape: remove in the morning. Repeat daily until gone. (Or apply daily with nail polish. You could scrub well once a day and then apply more, etc).

Avoid poison ivy rash, use dish washing liquid like Palmolive if you brush up against poison ivy. When rinsed, rub a little Palmolive on your skin.

Nail fungus is no fun, even though the first three letters spell fun! According to this article you make a solution of equal parts mouthwash and white vinegar and soak for 15 minutes. Repeat three times a week.

Heal skin with lavender. To do mix 3 drops essential oil to 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil or another carrier oil. It treats minor injures kills germs, reduces swelling and speeds new collagen and skin cells to reduce healing time.

Relieve a minor burn with baking soda. Pour one teaspoon of baking soda into a small bowl, then add enough water to make a paste. Use your fingers to gently apply paste, let dry.

Eliminate dandruff with mouthwash. Pour 1/4 cup of thymol-containing mouthwash like Listerine Cool Mint onto damp hair and massage into scalp. Wait five minutes then shampoo as usual. Repeat daily until flaking disappears.

Soften calluses with castor oil. Dampen a few cotton balls with castor oil, place them on rough spots and cover with bandage before slipping socks on your feet. In the morning, wash feet, then gently buff with pumice stone and moisturize.

Treat canker sores. Dab the sores with aloe vera gel from the plant’s leaves or product three times daily.

Shrink varicose veins. Dabbing witch hazel on mild varicose veins twice a day can reduce their appearance ­– and soothe vein related pain in as little as seven days. Keep the witch hazel in the refrigerator if your varicose veins tend to itch, applying the liquid chilled provides immediate relief.

Long after I desperately needed relief from super glue I found what follows: Nail polish remover, either acetone or non-acetone, nail polish remover can be used to clean up messes around the house. Try it on coffee or tea stained mugs, stains on upholstery from ink or permanent marker (test first on fabric) or super glue that stuck on hands!

I am just curious what you will use and what you already use. Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org. Thank you for reading and have a great week!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: 29 Classics You Should Know

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

29 Classics You Should Know

Various orchestras; RCA Camden CFL-103, six lps of reissues from Victor 78s.

This bargain priced mid-’50s set contained very good performances and, for their day, quite decently recorded sound. The list of orchestras on the record labels contain the actual names for some pieces, and pseudonyms, due to strange contractual considerations, for other orchestras. Information on each item will be provided as concisely as possible.

Pseudonyms with real names in parentheses:

Cromwell Symphony (Cincinatti Symphony conducted by Eugene Goosens) – Richard Strauss Rosenkavalier Waltzes and Grieg 1st Peer Gynt Suite.

Warwick Symphony (Philadelphia Orchestra with Leopold Stokowski for Sibelius Finlandia, Moussorgsky Night on Bald Mountain, Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Johann Strauss Tales from the Vienna Woods, R. Strauss Salome’s Dance of the Seven Veils and Saint-Saens Dance Macabre; and Eugene Ormandy conducting Liszt Les Preludes.).

Star Symphony (Hollywood Bowl Symphony with Stokowski) – Tchaikovsky Marche Slav.

Carlyle Symphony (Czech Philharmonic/Vaclav Talich) – Dvorak Opus 46 Slavonic Dances.

The other items:

Arthur Fiedler, Boston Pops – Rossini William Tell Overture; Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture and Capriccio Italien; Bizet 2nd L’Arlesienne Suite; and Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol.

Hans Kindler, National Symphony of Washington, D.C, – Liszt 6rh Hungarian Rhapsody; Smetana Moldau; and Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel Dream Pantomine.

Fabien Sevitzky, Indianapolis Symphony- Grieg 2nd Peer Gynt Suite.T

Serge Koussevitzky, Boston Symphony- Liszt Mephisto Waltz.

Constant Lambert, London Philharmonic – Offenbach Orpheus in Hades Overture.

Tig Notaro

In summary, the album gave immense pleasure and some of these recordings may be on YouTube.

I highly recommend the Amazon Prime show, One Missi­ssippi, a semi-autobiographical comedy starring Tig Notaro.

Continuing with RPT Coffin’s Kennebec Crystals:

“The preachers and everybody else in Gardiner and Richmond, Hallowell and Dresden, went to bed that night praying for the snow to hold up and the red blood in the glass to stay down in the ball where it belonged. The river of Henry Hudson was still liquid as it went under the Catskills and down by the walls of the Palisades. God was in His heaven!”

More next week.

 

 

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Sober Summer: Americans reevaluate drinking post-pandemic

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Many Americans are celebrating COVID receding with an alcohol-free day, season or longer.

(NAPSI)—As both vaccination levels and temperatures rise, Americans are shedding more than their masks and an extra layer of clothes. Many are also looking to shed unhealthy habits they developed during a year of lockdown. For these post-pandemic revelers, declaring independence this July takes on new meaning, as they seek freedom from behaviors that no longer serve them.

According to personal finance company WalletHub, the Fourth of July is one of the country’s top drinking holidays, with roughly $1.6 billion spent on beer and wine. This, however, is no average year: Alcohol consumption increased significantly during the height of the COVID pandemic. A survey published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health highlights just how prevalent stress-related drinking was during lockdown. Participants in the survey reported consuming both more drinks and a greater number of days drinking. A third of participants reported binge drinking, with 7 percent reporting extreme binge drinking.

That may be a reason the concept of Sober Summer has emerged as one of the hot trends for 2021. In recovery from the effects of the pandemic, many are “sober curious,” looking to realign their lifestyles with healthier habits. Interest in alcohol-free activities is booming—from sober travel companies, to bars that serve only virgin mocktails, to outdoor activities that don’t center around drinking.

This year, Lionrock, the leader in telehealth recovery and support services, is hosting a July 4th online marathon as an alternative to boozy celebrations. Open to everyone, Lionrock offers a safe and fun alternative for people who don’t want to center the holiday around drinking and who do want to find peer support and friendship. The event includes meditations, icebreakers, Lionrock’s popular CommUnity meetings for those in pursuit of peace in mind and body, and even a dance party. It’s not necessary to be “an alcoholic” or “in recovery” to join; everyone is welcome.

“The Fourth of July all-day marathon is modeled after our very successful New Year’s Eve event,” said Lionrock co-founder Ashley Loeb Blassingame. “Mental illness and despair thrive in isolation, which is why 2020 was so difficult for so many. For me, freedom from addiction is the best kind of independence. We want to provide a way for people to connect with others seeking a higher level of wellness so they can experience a better and healthier way of coping and living this Fourth, all summer, and beyond.”

People working toward a healthier summer that includes cutting back on alcohol consumption and not necessarily abstaining altogether may want deeper support than just a July 4th marathon. After turning to alcohol or other drugs as a way of coping with stress, anxiety, or depression during the past year, they are ready to reassess their relationship with substances and find a more balanced way of managing life’s challenges. Still others will decide that a sober summer won’t be enough. For those who cannot moderate their behaviors, intensive outpatient programs and higher levels of care offer long-term recovery options.

The good news for anyone struggling with unhealthy coping mechanisms and habits is that help is available and alcohol-free activities have become more prevalent. From the Lionrock meeting marathon on July 4th to wellness retreats, sober raves, and even a simple walk along the beach, this summer is an excellent time to realign your lifestyle post-pandemic and find a healthier path forward.

Learn More

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol or drug dependency, you may care to visit www.lionrockrecovery.com or call 800-258-6550.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: The right emotions can be useful in investing

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by Sasha Fitzpatrick

You may have heard that it’s important to take the emotions out of investing. But is this true for all emotions?

Certainly, some emotions can potentially harm your investment success. Consider fear. If the financial markets are going through a down period – which is actually a normal part of the investment landscape – you might be so afraid of sustaining losses that you sell even the investments that have good prospects and are suitable for your needs.

Greed is another negative emotion. When the financial markets are rising, you might be so motivated to “cash in” on some big gains that you will keep purchasing investments that might already be overpriced – and since these investments are already expensive, your dollars will buy fewer shares.
In short, the combination of fear and greed could cause you trouble.

But other emotions may prove useful. For example, if you can channel the joy you’ll feel upon achieving your investment goals, you may be more motivated to stay on track toward achieving them. To illustrate: You may want to see your children graduate from college someday. Can you visualize them walking across the stage, diplomas in hand? If so, to help realize this goal, you might find yourself ready and willing to contribute to a college savings vehicle, such as a 529 plan. Or consider your own retirement: Can you see yourself traveling or pursuing your hobbies or taking part in whatever activities you’ve envisioned for your retirement lifestyle? If you can keep this happy picture in mind, you may find it easier to maintain the discipline needed to consistently invest in your IRA, 401(k) or other investment accounts.

Another motivating force is the most powerful emotion of all – love. If you have loved ones who depend on you, such as a spouse and children, you need to protect their future. One key element of this protection is the life insurance necessary to take care of your family’s needs – housing, education and so on – should something happen to you. Your employer may offer group life insurance coverage, but it might not be sufficient, so you may want to supplement it with your own policy.

Furthermore, you may need to protect your loved ones from another threat – your own vulnerability to the need for long-term care. Someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70 percent chance of eventually needing some type of long-term care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This type of care, such as an extended nursing home stay or the help of a home health aide, is extremely expensive, and, for the most part, is outside the reach of Medicare. So, to pay for long-term care, you might have to drain a good part of your resources – or depend on your grown children for financial help.

To keep your financial independence and avoid possibly burdening your family, you may want to consult with a financial professional who can recommend a strategy and appropriate solutions to cover long-term care costs.

By drawing on positive emotions, you can empower yourself to make the right financial moves throughout your life.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC. Sasha Fitzpatrick can be contacted at EdwardJones Financial Advisor, 22 Common St., Waterville, ME 04901, or at sasha.fitzpatrick@edwardjones.com.

Submitted by Sasha Fitzpatrick
Edward Jones Financial Advisor

SOLON & BEYOND: Four candles burned constantly

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

The following is from an old 1995 column that I wrote in the Somerset Gazette: It starts, Good morning my friends, don’t worry, be happy!

Shouldn’t do this after those words but I’m frustrated. So have to admit that monster (computer ) got the best of me this morning, well it really started last week when I pushed that print button and this column kept coming out and I couldn’t get it to stop until I pulled the plug. On a good day I cringe at the paper the thing wastes, it amazes me how people talk about saving the trees and then in the next breath say how wonderful computers are. Anyway, this morning the “Thing” wouldn’t let me in so I’m typing it! – Peter, I need your HELP! I still get frustrated with this computer, but Peter is still helping me, and I thank him very much.

This week I’m going to put in a letter that was in that 1995 paper, and its title was Four Candles Burned Constantly, by Ethel Bowen. When I look back on World War II, I think of the day when we were all let out of school so we could see our National Guard off to what we thought would be a training session. Little did we know that a few short months later the United States would be in the middle of a war, and they would be participating in it. The Skowhegan High School band escorted the “Guard” to the train station, with us lining Water Street, cheering them on.

This journey for most would end up being a horrible experience, costing some of them their lives, bringing sorrow to their families and the whole town. I can remember Aunt Bernice and Uncle Bill sending their four sons and two sons-in-law off to foreign lands to fight for their country. I lived next door to them. Aunt Beatrice burned four candles continuously, one for each one of her boys. She also had a flag in the window with four stars surrounding it. One son who was wounded three times in Germany, was sent back after recuperating from his injuries twice. The third time he was to have been sent back in a few days, but the war was declared over in the European Theatre, so he was sent home instead.

Another son contracted malaria while in the Pacific and was a long time recovering. One son-in-law lost a finger during a raid in Germany, and the other was injured in the Pacific. Of the two remaining sons, one was in the Signal Corp in the Pacific. I can still picture Aunt Bernice watching for the mail and rushing out to the mailbox hoping that she would get a letter from one of them. When she did she shared them with the rest of the family.

I can tell you, there was delight and celebration in that family when the war was declared over and they returned home. This family was very fortunate. Other families were not. The first time I saw my mother cry was when my brother left home for basic training. He came home on leave, then was sent to Germany He was fortunate as six months after he got there he stayed in the Army of Occupation until he was discharged.

And now for some good advice called The Way to Be a Friend. The way to be a friend is just To strive each day to be A firm believer in the strength Of human dignity.To teach each fellowman the way That you would like to be, With deep respect for each man’s worth And his integrity. The way to be a friend is just To keep a smiling face, To realize that laughter adds A special note of grace. The way to be a friend is just To give and give and give Of help and care and kindly words Each day that you shall live, To shun away each petty doubt And open up the heart, To let in the thoughts of love and trust, Which is how friendships start.

Sorry that this is a rather short one but we have to go to Skowhegan in the morning so Lief can get his LAST SHOT……… and we will probably celebrate big time!

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Why are those trees dripping on me?

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Have you ever noticed during the summer, especially when we head into the more humid days, that trees begin to drip on you? It isn’t sap, just water.

Well, the simple answer is the tree is “sweating.”

Now, for the more scientific explanation.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the process is actually called transpiration, and it is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts, such as from leaves but also from stems and flowers. Leaf surfaces are dotted with pores, similar to our skin, which are called stomata, and in most plants they are more numerous on the undersides of the foliage. The stomata are bordered by guard cells and their accessory cells that open and close the pore. Transpiration occurs through the stomatal apertures, and can be thought of as a necessary cost associated with the opening of the stomata to allow the diffusion of carbon dioxide gas from the air for photosynthesis. Transpiration also cools plants – again similar to our sweating – changes the pressure of cells, and enables mass flow of mineral nutrients and water from roots to shoots.

Mass flow of liquid water from the roots to the leaves is driven in part by capillary action, but primarily driven by water potential differences. In taller plants and trees, the force of gravity can only be overcome by the decrease in water pressure in the upper parts of the plants due to the diffusion of water out of stomata into the atmosphere. Water is absorbed at the roots by osmosis, and any dissolved mineral nutrients travel with it through the xylem (the woody portion of the plant).

Plant transpiration is pretty much an invisible process, since the water is evaporating from the leaf surfaces, you don’t just go out and see the leaves “sweating.” Just because you can’t see the water doesn’t mean it is not being put into the air, though. During a growing season, a leaf will transpire many times more water than its own weight. An acre of corn gives off about 3,000-4,000 gallons of water each day, and a large oak tree can transpire 40,000 gallons per year.

The rate of transpiration is also influenced by the evaporative demand of the atmosphere surrounding the leaf such as humidity, change in temperature, wind and incident sunlight.

Soil water supply and soil temperature can influence stomatal opening, and thus transpiration rate. The amount of water lost by a plant also depends on its size and the amount of water absorbed at the roots. Transpiration accounts for most of the water loss by a plant, but some direct evaporation also takes place through the cuticle of the leaves and young stems. Transpiration serves to evaporatively cool plants as the escaping water vapor carries away heat energy.

Transpiration rates go up as the temperature goes up, especially during the growing season, when the air is warmer due to stronger sunlight and warmer air masses. Higher temperatures cause the plant cells which control the openings (stoma) where water is released to the atmosphere to open, whereas colder temperatures cause the openings to close.

As the relative humidity of the air surrounding the plant rises the transpiration rate falls. It is easier for water to evaporate into dryer air than into more saturated air.

Increased movement of the air around a plant will result in a higher transpiration rate. This is somewhat related to the relative humidity of the air, in that as water transpires from a leaf, the water saturates the air surrounding the leaf. If there is no wind, the air around the leaf may not move very much, raising the humidity of the air around the leaf. Wind will move the air around, with the result that the more saturated air close to the leaf is replaced by drier air.

When moisture is lacking, plants can begin premature aging, which can result in leaf loss, and transpire less water.

So, if anyone asks you why the trees are dripping, you can go into the long, scientific explanation, or you just simply say, “the tree is sweating,” and watch for the looks you will get.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who played for both the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics?

Answer can be found here.