Week of August 2, 2018
Week of August 2, 2018
Area U18 girls capture title at international soccer tourney
The Winslow-based U18 girls travel soccer team recently traveled to San Marino, Italy, with Gary Walker and All Pro Soccer Tours to participate in the San Marino Soccer Cup. The team had a truly amazing experience! […]
Your Local News
TIF committee wants more info before expanding broadband coverage
CHINA — China Selectman and Broadband Committee member Neil Farrington presented an outline of his proposal to increase tower-based broadband coverage around China Lake’s east basin to the TIF (Tax Increment Finance) Committee at its July 30 meeting. The reception was mixed […]
Planners OK McCormick plan at former diesel truck facility for offices, farmers & flea markets
CHINA — China Planning board members approved the only application on their July 24 agenda, giving Judith McCormack permission to re-use the former diesel truck facility at 1144 Route 3 as a residence, office space, a farmers’ market and a flea market […]
Vassalboro selectmen to hold special meeting
VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen will hold a special meeting at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6, in the town office, primarily to set the 2018-19 tax rate. Board members have the option of discussing other matters […]
HealthReach welcomes Kelly Bell Bragg
CENTRAL ME — Kelly Bell Bragg, PMHNP, will begin providing psychiatric medication management at three HealthReach health centers this summer in Kingfield, Madison, and Strong […]
Sheepscot Lake Association holds annual meeting
PALERMO — The Sheepscot Lake Association held its annual meeting on Wednesday, July 25th to a packed audience at the Palermo Library. Our guest speaker was Dennis Brown of the Highland Lake Association, located outside Falmouth. He spoke of their efforts to protect the water quality of their lake and to research the cause for its recent decline, thought to be associated with excess landlocked alewives […]
Invasive plant patrol workshop on China Lake
CHINA — China Lake Association has announced it will be hosting an Invasive Plant Paddle this year on China Lake. The Four Seasons Club has offered us the use of their facilities for this event. The training will be taught by members from Lake Stewards of Maine formally know as Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program […]
Lake Association Meetings
WEBBER POND
Saturday, August 18, 9 a.m.
Vassalboro Community School
To be included in this list, contact The Town Line at townline@fairpoint.net.
Take our weekly survey!
[democracy id=”102″]
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BEST SELLING NOVELIST Elizabeth Berg will speak and offer books for sale, Thurs., Aug. 9, starting at 1 p.m., Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, Main St. Open to public free of charge. Refreshments […]
Obituaries – week of August 2, 2018
FAIRFIELD – Susan Allein died on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. She had been ill in several ways for some time, but death came unexpectedly. Susan was born in Los Angeles, California, and attended schools in Alhambra, becoming a Top Twenty national champion debater before entering Occidental College… and remembering 7 others…
Town Line Original Columnists
SCORES & OUTDOORS
by Roland D. Hallee | Raccoons and rabies have been in the news again, recently. It seems there has been a measurable increase in the number of reports of animal bites resulting in humans being treated for rabies […]
GARDEN WORKS
by Emily Cates | Usually when most folks think of animals in the garden, it worries them. After all, who wants their veggie patch trampled and eaten, with fresh poop in its place? While I would shudder to think of that as the outcome, it is possible for both garden and livestock to thrive with carefully managed inputs from each other […]
REVIEW POTPOURRI
by Peter Cates | Jazz pianist/bandleader Count Basie (1904 -1984) appeared in the 1943 film, Stage Door Canteen, performing with singer Ethel Waters and his orchestra and doing a captivating solo turn […]
SOLON & BEYOND
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | On Sunday, July 1, Carolyn Waugh, of Solon, was honored with a 103rd birthday party at her home. Sixty-four relatives and friends were there to help her celebrate this wonderful event. I was told, by one of her relatives, that there were four or five generations of Carolyn’s family present at the party […]
I’M JUST CURIOUS
by Debbie Walker | Do you have any idea how many uses there are for pickle juice? I didn’t have a clue. I am passing on more information from my Farmer’s Almanac Newsletter from 7/4/18. If you enjoy this stuff you really should join if you haven’t already, obviously I am a fan!! […]
FOR YOUR HEALTH
Underage drinking is a significant concern and public health challenge nationwide contributing to a wide range of costly health and social problems. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the economic burden of alcohol misuse in the U.S. is estimated at $249 billion, with three-quarters of those costs coming from binge drinking […]
Parents Hold The Key To Reducing Underage Drinking
Parents Hold The Key To Reducing Underage Drinking
(NAPSI)—Underage drinking is a significant concern and public health challenge nationwide contributing to a wide range of costly health and social problems. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the economic burden of alcohol misuse in the U.S. is estimated at $249 billion, with three-quarters of those costs coming from binge drinking. Almost $24.3 billion (about 10 percent) of the total $249 billion economic cost of excessive alcohol consumption is related to underage drinking, much of it due to premature mortality of underage youth.
Annually, alcohol is a factor in the deaths of approximately 4,300 youths in the United States, shortening their lives by an average of 60 years.
Last year, nearly 20 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 20 reported drinking alcohol. In fact, alcohol continues to be the most widely used substance among America’s youth, and a higher proportion use alcohol than use tobacco, marijuana, or other drugs according to Monitoring the Future.
While teens tend to drink less frequently than adults, 4.5 million young people drink larger quantities or binge drink, having five or more drinks males, and four or more drinks for females during a single occasion.
While underage drinking is a source of concern, parents can influence whether their child decides to drink or not.
Moms and dads may want to start by knowing the risks and signs of underage drinking. Teenage drinkers are more prone to have legal issues and participate in unsafe sexual behaviors. They are more likely to have memory problems and changes in brain development that cause life-long effects. There’s also an increased risk for using other drugs, hurting themselves or someone else and developing an Alcohol Use Disorder.
There are signs that parents should recognize as it might indicate their child is drinking. If parents notice several of these signs or if they occur suddenly and are extreme, it could mean there’s alcohol use involved, and parents should intervene with their children and seek professional help through the child’s school or contact the county health department. These signs are mood changes like a quick temper, irritability and defensiveness; school problems such as poor attendance, low grades and/or recent disciplinary action; switching friends and a reluctance to introduce the new friends; and finding alcohol in a child’s room or backpack or smelling alcohol on their breath.
The good news is there are a number of things parents can proactively do to help children stay alcohol-free.
- Show you disapprove of underage drinking.
More than 80 percent of young people ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision to drink or not drink. So they really are listening, and it’s important that you send a clear and strong message. - Show you care about your child’s happiness and well-being.
Young people are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Try to reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink—not just because you say so, but because you want your child to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you’re working with, and not against, your child. - Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol.
You want your child to be making informed decisions about drinking, with reliable information about its dangers. You don’t want your child to be learning about alcohol from friends, the internet, or the media—you want to establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information. - Show you’re paying attention and you’ll notice if your child drinks.
You want to show you’re keeping an eye on your child, because young people are more likely to drink if they think no one will notice. There are many subtle ways to do this without prying. - Build your child’s skills and strategies for avoiding underage drinking.
Even if your child doesn’t want to drink, peer pressure is a powerful thing. It could be tempting to drink just to avoid looking uncool. To prepare your child to resist peer pressure, you’ll need to build skills and practice them.
Keep it low-key. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get everything across in one talk. Many small talks are better.
There are free tools available to help parents have meaningful conversations with their kids and learn more about how to reduce the chances that children start drinking. “Talk. They Hear You.” is a resource from SAMHSA that can help parents get started. Parents, caregivers and educators can download materials by visiting https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking. “Talk. They Hear You.” also has accessible videos that demonstrate the importance of discussing alcohol use with your children. These videos serve as examples how a parent can approach their child about alcohol use and can be found at http://bit.ly/2LuvT0F.
Moms and dads are the biggest influence when it comes to underage drinking, they hold the key to helping kids make good decisions and steer away from alcohol use.
Roland’s Trivia Question, Week of August 2, 2018
What is the recorded score of a forfeited baseball game?
Answer:
9-0 (rule 2:00 Major League Baseball Rule Book)
SCORES & OUTDOORS: Raccoons back in the news…for the wrong reasons
by Roland D. Hallee
A raccoon “washing” its food…
Raccoons and rabies have been in the news again, recently. It seems there has been a measurable increase in the number of reports of animal bites resulting in humans being treated for rabies.
A recent news report from WMTW-TV told of a woman who was attacked by a raccoon while walking along a wooded trail near her home in Hope. The raccoon managed to bite her on the thumb and scratch her arms while she drowned it in a nearby puddle. Hope Animal Control Officer Heidi Blood confirmed last week that the dead raccoon later tested positive for rabies by the Maine Center for Disease Control.
“Not to scare people,” Blood said, “but when there’s one, there’s typically another.”
She went on to say that just because there was one, and it was dispatched, doesn’t mean the risk is reduced. The risk is still there.
As early as last Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that the state of Maine has started dropping packets of vaccine into rural woods in efforts to eliminate raccoon rabies. The program is being funded in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s help, releasing 351,000 packets in northern Maine.
So far this year, 42 cases of oral rabies have been reported in 13 out of the 16 Maine counties. These also include incidences of people being bitten by rabid bats, raccoons, striped skunks, gray foxes, otters, domestic cats and woodchucks. And recently, police reported three individials were bitten by rabid red fox in Brunswick.
Rabies have been rare among pets and farm animals, but since its reintroduction in Maine in 1994, terrestial rabies has increased dramatically in Maine in the above mentioned animals. The last reported case of human rabies in Maine was in 1937.
When bitten by any wild animals, and rabies may be suspected, it is important to get to an emergency room as soon as possible. Humans can start to show symptoms within a few weeks, but often if takes a few months. According to Blood, “The number one thing we try to remind people of is that it’s 100 percent fatal if it goes untreated.”
…but they can also be vicious.
The woman in Hope has received six innoculations of rabies vaccine since the incident and is scheduled for her last shot this weekend.
Don’t believe the myth that raccoons are clean animals because they wash their food before eating. Their name actually comes from that tale. Its scientific name is, Procyon lotor. Lotor is the Latin word for “washer.” The fact is that raccoon have very narrow throats making it difficult to ingest foods. When they encounter food that is dry, they dip it in water to soften it so as to make it easier to swallow. They sometime will remove unwanted parts of the food with their front paws, giving the appearance of washing the morsel. Should a raccoon come across a mushy piece of fruit, it will gulp it down without dipping it in water.
Zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam described raccoons as “clever beasts,” and that “in certain directions their cunning surpasses that of the fox.” In a study by H. B. Davis in 1908, raccoons were able to open 11 of 13 complex locks in fewer than 10 tries and had no problems repeating the action when the locks were rearranged or turned upside down. Davis concluded they understood the abstract principles of the locking mechanisms.
Raccoons have also been part of the mythologies of the indigenous peoples of North America. Indigenous North American belief systems include many sacred narratives. Such spiritual stories are deeply based in nature and are rich with the symbolism of seasons, weather, plants, animals, earth, water, sky and fire. Traditional worship pracrices are often a part of tribal gatherings with dance, rhythm, songs and trance (e.g. the rain dance).
With their bandit-like black mask rings around their eyes, they are cute, especially the young. But never approach a raccoon, even if it is acting normally. Also, as a general rule of safety, never approach an animal in the wild, period. Remember, even though some people believe that any animal can be a pet, they are still animals, with very sharp survival instincts, and could view you as a threat. Stay sway from them. If they are acting irrationally, leave them, and contact your animal control officer of the warden’s service. Take the safe way.
Roland’s trivia question of the week:
What is the recorded score of a forfeited baseball game?
Legal Notices, Week of August 2, 2018
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
41 COURT ST.
SOMERSET, SS.
SKOWHEGAN, ME
PROBATE NOTICES
TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ESTATES LISTED BELOW
Notice is hereby given by the respective petitioners that they have filed petitions for appointment of personal representatives in the following estates. These matters will be heard at 10 a.m. or as soon thereafter as they may be, August 15, 2018. The requested appointments may be made on or after the hearing date if no sufficient objection be heard. This notice complies with the requirements of 18-A MRSA §3-403 and Probate Rule 4.
2018-181 – Estate MICHAEL DAVID CARDELLA. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Michael David Cardella, 114 Main Street, Apt 1, Anson, Me 04911 requesting his name be changed to Misha Serenity Stein for reasons set forth therein.
2018-214 – Estate of CARY ADAMS PEPPERMINT. Petition for Change of Name (Adult) filed by Cary Adams Peppermint, 312 Locke Hill Road, Starks, Me 04911 requesting his name be changed to Cary Fricks Adams for reasons set forth therein.
Dated: July 30, 2018 /s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(8/9)
STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS
Estate of KATRINA A. HUTCHINSON
DOCKET NO. 2018-184
It appearing that the following heir/devisee of KATRINA A. HUTCHINSON, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:
Somer Mongeon, address unknown
THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heir of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.
This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication to be August 2, 2018.
Name and address of the Personal Representative: Linda Morgan, 59 Karen Street, Palmyra, Me 04965.
Dated: July 30, 2018
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(8/9)
I’M JUST CURIOUS: Yummy pickle juice
by Debbie Walker
Do you have any idea how many uses there are for pickle juice? I didn’t have a clue. I am passing on more information from my Farmer’s Almanac Newsletter from 7/4/18 (https://farmersalmanac.com/uses-for-pickle-juice-28005). If you enjoy this stuff you really should join if you haven’t already, obviously I am a fan!!
I was surprised to find out pickle juice makes a natural sports drink – you can swig it or make popsicles. I was not real surprised to read the pickle juice is also an excellent way to season your potato salad, just add to your taste.
Other recipe helpers might be to add the pickle juice to flavor your boiled eggs; put juice in the water of your steamer for veggies; boost the flavor in corned beef and cabbage (add a splash to tenderize the meat). Then you could use pickle juice in place of the vinegar to make marinades and salad dressings. You could also use pickle juice and olive oil for a salad dressing, etc, etc.
You may also see the value of it in tomato juice, V8 juice or in your Bloody Mary. One thing I am finding more and more is to make ice cubes out of such and add it that way… Oh and if you are suffering from a hangover you just swig some to hydrate and restore your electrolyte level.
I maybe need to carry some around with me in a bottle. It also mentioned taking a swig to relieve muscle cramps and restless leg problems. Take a swig of the juice for a cure for hiccups or as a heartburn remedy. How about using it for a cough medicine, you got it, you just need a swig. Seems it helps with just a swig for losing your voice or for sore throat. Now for constipation it takes a whole glass of THE juice. Hey, whatever works! Another one I never heard of is to quench appetites, so if you are in my house and see all these dry pickles in the jars you will know what happened. It wasn’t from all the cooking I (don’t) do it was from my using a “new sports drink!”
Fourth of July is long since over, just think of all those jars of juice you dumped down the sink and the new uses you have for them! That’s okay, there are more cookouts to come and of course you can’t forget Memorial Day cookouts.
I would like to take this space to thank all of you with your notes of kindness in the month of July when Mom died. We decided we really can’t be sad because she passed so quickly, no lingering on for her. We are all grateful for that.
I’m just curious if you have ever tried any of these remedies and recipes. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com and of course Thank You for reading.
REVIEW POTPOURRI – Jazz musician: Count Basie; Composer: Ravel
by Peter Cates
Count Basie
Prime Time
Pablo, CD, recorded January 18-20, 1977.
Count Basie
Jazz pianist/bandleader Count Basie (1904 -1984) appeared in the 1943 film, Stage Door Canteen, performing with singer Ethel Waters and his orchestra and doing a captivating solo turn. I say captivating because, whenever his short , stubby fingers touched a key, he drew out a most delectable note while sustaining the happiest smile. This enjoyment quickly spread to band members and audiences alike.
His best qualities, ones that were sustained in a huge legacy of recordings and concerts throughout a more than 60-year career, were an infectious rhythmic beat, an enthusiastic team spirit and a long list of talented, inspired singers and instrumentalists- vocalists Jimmy Rushing, Big Joe Turner, Joe Williams, Helen Humes, and Thelma Carpenter; saxist Lester Young; guitarist Freddie Green; and Buck Clayton and Harry Sweets Edison on trumpet.
The above CD, a typically good one, contains eight selections, including such staples as Sweet Georgia Brown and Ja-Da.
In 1970, Basie collaborated with Frank Sinatra at a pair of benefit concerts. The singer would later comment: “I have a funny feeling that those two nights could have been my finest hour, really. It went so well; it was so thrilling and exciting.”
The pianist was honored at the 1981 Kennedy Center Awards program.
Count Basie succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 1984 at the age of 79.
Ravel
Orchestral Works
Andre Cluytens conducting the Paris Conservatory Orchestra; French Columbia, 2 LP set, recorded 1962-63.
Maurice Ravel
André Cluytens
As much as I cherish other gifted interpreters of Debussy and Ravel – examples being Monteux, Munch, Ansermet, Boulez, Abbado etc., – I return to Andre Cluytens (1905 -1967) most often. He conducted both composers with consistent elegance, power, beauty, clarity. And his meticulously prepared interpretations weren’t just bestowed on the French school. The Berlin Philharmonic Beethoven 9 Symphonies are now routinely considered among the top three or four sets, his collaboration with David Oistrakh in the same composer’s Violin Concerto is quite splendid and a set of Moussorgsky’s Boris Godunov with Christoff is a justified cornerstone among great recordings of Russian opera. Two personal, less mentioned favorites are a live Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto with Rubinstein and an exquisitely shaped Schumann Rhenish Symphony.
The above collection consists of the Mother Goose ballet, Valse Nobles et Sentimentales, Tombeau de Couperin, Menuet Antique, Alborada del Gracioso, Barque sue L’Ocean, and Pavane for a Dead Princess. Each piece is an inexhaustible masterwork, masterfully performed. And these recordings are available via several different CD editions.
SOLON & BEYOND: Carolyn Waugh celebrates 103rd birthday with family and friends
by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979
Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!
On Sunday, July 1, Carolyn Waugh, of Solon, was honored with a 103rd birthday party at her home. Sixty-four relatives and friends were there to help her celebrate this wonderful event. I was told, by one of her relatives, that there were four or five generations of Carolyn’s family present at the party. Some of the states they traveled from were Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Florida, and California.
The relative that gave me some of the particulars, said she thought every one of those who attended the party went up to Carolyn and hugged her or shook her hand before leaving.
I didn’t know about this party until after the fact, but learned about it when I went to the alumni meeting the week after. (I happened to see one of Carolyn’s relative this week and he apologized and said he was supposed to let me know, but kept forgetting.) I told him that was quite all right. Anyway I went out and called on Carolyn one day this week and had a really nice visit with her at her home on French Hill, in Solon.
She was very pleased about so many of her family coming to help her celebrate, her words were, “It was nice seeing everybody.” And she added, “There was plenty of food and some left over, which was good.” It was lots of fun to visit with her, she still takes a lot of interest in the news and really likes The Town Line and calls Fridays, “Percy Day,” that is when someone picks up the paper and reads his message each week. (It does me good when I hear good reports about people loving Percy and his contributions to our column.) But….another wonderful part of the visit was that I met Annabelle! She is Carolyn’s cat, and a quite active one, I think she and Percy would have made quite a pair. One of the things Annabelle did while I was there was jump up on a high animal tower and knock something down with a loud crash! But Carolyn just laughed, I’m sure she enjoys her cat’s company.
Oh sorry, I got side tracked with animals: more about Carolyn. She received the Boston Post Gold Cane as the oldest resident of Solon on her 100th birthday. She was a teacher in Maryland for 22 years and taught in Maine for ten years. The home where she lives was built in the Civil War era.
We talked a bit about getting older and she said she can’t see much anymore and her hearing isn’t good, but, she said, “I’m Happy!” (And I thought to myself, what a wonderful message that would be to so many people who call themselves “Old” and haven’t lived nearly as long as Carolyn. )
Saturday, August 4, from 10 a.m. – noon, paddle a kayak or canoe up the Wesserunsett Stream with SWT Trustees. This tour is given as a free activity during River Fest, an annual multi-day event of Skowhegan Main Street that celebrates recreation and life on the Kennebec River. The paddle begins at Cleaver Landing on the Kennebec River. After the paddle enjoy a picnic lunch at the Kennebec Banks Rest Area. The picnic starts at 11:30 a.m. and closes around 1:30 p.m. All proceeds help SWT maintain this popular rest area. If you don’t have a canoe or kayak, just ask them! They may have an extra one.
And now for Percy’s memoir: (I’m going to use another one that Percy put in back when he was alive in 2011, entitled, The Gift of Some of the Most Wonderful Wisdom of All. “Beautiful tomorrows are wished for you, beginning today and lasting your whole life through. Have a safe journey on a smooth and steady path… one that will guide you from where you are to where you want to be. One that will bring you so much fulfillment, so many challenges met, and so much serenity. May the words and thoughtful things that have touched your heart… join in the journey., and may they serve as supports to lean on, inspiration to encourage you, and stars to steer by. (words by Douglas Pagels.)
GARDEN WORKS: Livestock and the Garden
How they can benefit each other
by Emily Cates
Usually when most folks think of animals in the garden, it worries them. After all, who wants their veggie patch trampled and eaten, with fresh poop in its place? While I would shudder to think of that as the outcome, it is possible for both garden and livestock to thrive with carefully managed inputs from each other. In this article, we will look at a few small-scale concepts for small animals, and explore the possibilities for anyone who desires to get the best from both worlds, animal and vegetable.
A few keys to this involve timing, choice of crops, choice of animals, appropriate fencing, and shelter. When these are combined in thoughtful proportions, it can be an important part of attaining a measure of sustainability. So to begin our short trip into the world of gardening with and for livestock, let’s look at what could grow well together. As you read this, try to spot the symbiotic cycles that are created- such as the chicken eats the corn, then the manure is used to grow the corn, which feeds the chicken- and so on.
The first example here might really surprise, delight, shock, or disgust you. I’ll mention it here to get it out of the way: Mealworms! Yes, these insects can be conveniently raised in a kitchen or a closet in a plastic set of drawers and fed flour or crushed-up cereal, with a slice of potato as a water source. Not only will poultry delight in eating them, but they are edible for people too and taste nutty and pleasant. As an added bonus, their frass (manure) can be mixed into potting soils or added to the garden as a soil amendment.
Next, we’ll look at birds. Poultry manure is strong stuff; when it’s time to shovel out the chicken coop, I try to make sure it’s mixed with bedding as I incorporate it into the soil, waiting a couple of weeks until planting. Alternatively, the careful use of a movable pen or “chicken tractor” moves the birds to a spot where the birds scratch around, eat weeds and seeds, and contribute their “deposits” to nourish the soil. For added nutrition in the birds’ diet, we could move them to a plot where we grew treats for them like greens, pumpkins, grains, and sunflowers.
Certain types of birds can be let out into a fenced-in garden area in the daytime and closed up safely in a shelter at night. Bantam (miniature) breeds don’t cause as much damage to growing plants in areas in which their presence is desired to control pests. Other birds — such as geese — have been traditionally used to weed unripe strawberries, then moved to another area once the berries are ripe. Orchards and permaculture in particular can benefit from this kind of setup. I’ve seen birds-especially ducks- quite happy when they were able to help themselves to garden leftovers and windfalls.
Rabbit manure is a fine soil amendment in convenient little “pellets.” Bunnies likewise adore (much to our chagrin) all sorts of garden veggies. As long as they are kept away from unintended consumption of the garden, they are an acceptable, adorable companion.
Pigs lend value to the preparation of a garden, though they are oftentimes difficult to contain (especially if they grow up into big pigs) and need sturdy enclosures. Their natural rooting instinct can be harvested and put to good use in tilling up an area or turning a compost pile. Drill some corn kernels into a compost pile and a piggy will happily do some digging to get the rewards. And, of course, they will squeal with delight when handed garden rejects and refuse.
What about goats? Yes, their manure has been responsible for earning a few blue ribbons. Yes, they are good at mowing the lawn in areas that the lawn mower refuses to go. Yes, they eat all those veggies that didn’t quite make the cut. Yes, yes, yes! But my eyes glaze over when I think of the trouble they’ve made throughout the years whenever they’ve escaped their assigned side of the yard, gone to places they weren’t welcome, crashed my garden parties, gnawing on every fruit tree and seedling in sight. I get it why people want goat milk, meat, and manure — I totally do!
And yet, I hesitate to recommend them unless they have either a person who can be their nanny at all daylight hours (unlikely), or a fenced in area they will never, never be able to escape. Or, the garden should be fenced-in accordingly. At any rate, when you get goats you do so at your own risk…don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Happy gardening everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying the summer harvest and all its pleasures. Oh, and if you would like more information about anything in this article and you have access to the Internet, check out a reliably-sourced video on YouTube. If you’d rather read a book, The Encyclopedia of Country Living by the late Carla Emery is one of the best.