On Saturday, May 7, DownEast Auctions will sell the longtime collection of Joseph A. Bradstreet. As a young man, he and partner Walter White started White & Bradstreet, in Augusta. In 1953, they began selling used auto parts and doing towing work. They later expanded to used and rebuilt truck parts. Today, White & Bradstreet is one of the largest truck salvage yards in the state of Maine.

In 1988 Bradstreet started the Betty & Joe Bradstreet Transportation Museum, in Palermo. He collected and restored antique cars and trucks. He also collected and displayed an impressive collection of automobile related signs and automobilia. Anyone entering the 60-foot x 100-foot museum building will be amazed at the number and quality of the signs and vehicles displayed. One of the highlights of the auction will be a fully-restored 1937 Cadillac, 4-door sedan. Joe loved trucks; and his favorite was the 1960 Mack B-70. Other impressive trucks are the 1931 International and the 1942 International; both with handcrafted oak stake bodies.

The property consists of 29 acres with four buildings; large two-family home built in 1985. The home has three fireplaces with an impressive library and woodwork, with attached two-car garage. The museum building is 60-feet x 100-feet with nine bays. There is also a two bedroom house with custom woodwork with a heated two-car detached garage. This home would make a great caretaker’s home or office.

The entire property will be offered at the May 7 auction; if not under contract before sale day. The contents of all buildings will be sold: including antique vehicles, work vehicles, unrestored Cadillacs, many unrestored heavy duty trucks, porcelain signs, automobilia, tools, equipment, and Moosehead furniture. Come out for a full day of selling and buying a piece of history. There are so many items to sell, two auctioneers may sell simultaneously. Sale will be catered. Please bring a chair, a limited supply will be available.

For more information on the real estate or to arrange a showing, call Chris Vallee at Vallee Real Estate, 207-622-2220. For more information, visit www.downeastauctions.com for photos and terms, or call DownEast Auctions at 207-548-2393.

WALLS, do you truly believe we can write about everything that transpired last week with our intent of bringing present, past and future happenings for our faithful readers within the last week? It’s your choice where we start. With my busy calendar?

O.K. let’s do it.

Yes, since the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce had a Business After Hours at Somerset Public Health on April 21, let’s tell faithful readers about that evening. Yes, it was a real surprise but worth every minute and every mouth-full (the food was marvelous!) and “Bill” McPeck’s presentation that concerned worksite wellness was definitely enlightening. We of CATV-11 will have Bill on Now You Know soon and that presentation with Chris Perkins as host will be for each of us.

On Now You Know on April 20, we all received education by way of Jeff Johnson who is the executive director of Child Care Options. For sure, Jeff gave us insight into children’s behaviors. What’s more, Child Care Options on Bigelow Hill, in Skowhegan, is a subject that expectant parents, young parents and grandparents can benefit from. Jeff told everyone that the organization has offices in Augusta and in Skowhegan, and pertain to children from newborn to seven years of age.

Oh, and since Earth Day was on April 22, WALLS want you to know that East Madison, known as the first Madison, and that once had seven industries, which included a large woolen mill, until the paper industry learned the power of water-for-the-mill, and

East Madison was also the location of the first Earth Day in the USA. How come? Well, the late Joe Denis and I had organized the East Madison students of all ages and we did ask for use of a Madison Highway Department dump truck, but the, then-Madison Highway Commissioner simply could not have the dump truck available for Earth Day. Well, there was a solution. Do the Earth Day pickup the day before! The East Madison young people would walk with Joe Denis and Katie would drive the dump truck! It was a truly fun day, and the youngsters wondered what the ‘old still’ that was found in long grass along the way could possibly be used for.

The Denises remembered Prohibition days, but didn’t have time for explanations, as East Madison store owner (the late) Donald Perkins had a lunch waiting for all who were doing so much for this little town.

Well, faithful readers, WALLS would be remiss if you didn’t read about the home that Lew and Katie owned in Little Falls, New York. That area was absolutely full of interesting U.S. history, but little did we know that, when Lew removed a board in the basement of our nearly 200-year-old house that, surely, the place we called ‘home’ had housed slaves who traveled The Underground Railroad. Yes, when the news of Harriet Tubman’s photo replacing Andrew Jackson on our $20 bill, will be a part of our ‘history of today,’ we read Harriet Tubman’s story and learned she was born a slave who took pride in being an active abolitionist who helped slave friends escape via the Underground Railroad of which our house in Little Falls had, obviously, been a part. Yes, WALLS, we are proud.
Yes, we are very proud to be home in Maine.

by  Emily Cates

Attention slackers and Free-gans this one’s for all of us! Do you want a garden but you’re putting it off for the last moment? Lack of time? No problem. Lack of space? Don’t worry. Too expensive? No way! Not enough motivation?

We’ll do our best. Whatever the reason for procrastination, there are compelling reasons to get outside and “just do it.” After all, the more you put into the garden, the more you’re likely to get out of it. Well – to a point. You see, there are a few hints and shortcuts that might be of interest and easier on our wallets. Follow along as we look at ways to make the most out of our time in the dirt. We’ll look at garden cleanup, soil preparation, inexpensive seeds and starts, and a weeding method that can make a lazy gardener’s dreams-come-true. And we’ll do this in the spirit that anyone, anywhere, regardless of time and finances, might just be able to grow something this year.

First things first, though. When it comes to cleaning up the garden space, there’s no going around it; In this case procrastination will waste time! A garden that is free from crop remains will be a real time-saver when it comes to dealing with pests and pestilence. While the best time to clean up the garden was probably last fall, nothing should hold us back from ensuring it gets done now. Pull up and destroy any annual plants lingering from last year, as bugs and diseases potentially lurk in their presence. Even if you need to work in 10 minute increments, make sure to do this before it greens up outside.

When clean-up has been satisfactorily accomplished, then it’s time to prepare the soil. Is lack of space holding you back? Why not garden in containers? A tub full of soil on the patio or a window box can grow more than you think, especially when growing cultivars bred specifically for containers. Think tomatoes, cukes, greens, herbs, beans, and more. (Just don’t forget to keep it watered.)

As with cleanup, putting off preparing the soil will only make more work in the future when weeds will have taken hold. Now, there are scores of ways to do this – from thorough tilling of the soil by hand or with equipment – or “lasagna” style by piling on layers of organic matter and mulches. I can’t tell which one is best, because it all depends on the plot. What I can tell you is that I believe the best methods for soil preparation involve adding organic matter, a little more than what was taken out before. Depending on the richness of the ground, I tend to add enough to darken the soil a few shades. Compost from kitchen scraps, leaves, livestock bedding or manure are low-cost and effective soil amendments. Oftentimes, compost may also be obtained from the local transfer station. It might be worthwhile to call around to local farms to see if they have manure available.

Regarding soil prep, it’s easiest to do when the spot was heavily mulched the previous fall. Then the mulch can just be pulled back in the springtime, and voila! A shovelful here and there of organic matter to darken up the soil, a little digging with a spading fork to mix it in and till, might be all that’s needed to be ready to plant.

Seeds are an economical way to get a garden going, especially if they were saved from our own garden. Seed swaps and seed libraries are a great place to obtain seeds, and are an excellent option when price is an issue. Veggie seeds and transplants can also be purchased with EBT benefits – check Hannaford and Uncle Dean’s. Also, many greenhouses donate their surplus to food banks instead of just throwing them out. These plants might be a bit leggy, but with proper care, may provide many nutritious and delicious meals.

Does the thought of weeding deter you from gardening? Save time and energy by smothering them early on with mulch. Un-colored newspaper and untreated cardboard are good choices for mulches since they are usually free at the transfer station. I lay them down and cover with old sawdust or debris left over from my firewood pile. I find this especially works well for permaculture.

And now, the secret for a no-fuss garden you’ve all been waiting for. Well, actually, it’s not much of a secret. Look at the forest floor and you’ll get an idea how Nature does it. Pick up a handful next time you’re in the woods and see how the soil is nice and rich, without many weeds. What a wonderful smell! So alive, full of nutrients, and little creatures – like a mini universe in the ground. This is the color I think our garden soil should be. So what’s the secret? Leaf mulch. As the trees shed their leaves, they layer the forest floor with nutrition that was drawn up from way below the ground. I find that the closer I emulate these conditions in my own garden, the healthier the soil and resulting plants. Not to mention far fewer weeds. So I try to incorporate well-rotted leaves whenever I can. Starting a leaf pile may be easier than you think, since bags of leaves are oftentimes found roadside and free for the taking. Check the transfer station, too.

Now we’ve eradicated the top excuses for not having a garden this year! See you at the FEDCO Tree Sale May 6 and 7.

Text and photo by Ron Emery,
Assistant Scoutmaster

On April 9, Troop #479 honored an Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held for South China resident Joe Morry at the China Baptist Church. Family, friends and Scouts attended the ceremony marking the advancement of this young man to the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Joe joins a group of 32 Eagle Scouts who have completed community service projects with the help of fellow Scouts and other volunteers throughout Kennebec Valley. Each Eagle candidate must plan and supervise an Eagle service project to demonstrate his capacity and willingness to exert his leadership ability in activities that are constructive and worthwhile in his community.

Joe’s project benefited the surrounding communities by selecting a project in Thurston Park. Thurston Park is a 387-acre parcel of land located in the northeastern corner of the town of China. It is a multi-use park that is free and open to the public. He and fellow scouts and leaders, Erskine Academy classmates and friends and family built and installed two kiosks and also built three picnic tables. This Eagle Service project led by Joe Morry provided many man-hours of service to the region to improve the usability of Thurston Park by the public.
Senior Patrol Leader Nivek Boostedt welcomed the guests to the Court of Honor.

State Representative Timothy Theriault presented legislative sentiments. Other letters of sentiments were received from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins, as well as many others.

Joe is the son of Susan Morry, of China, and Carmine Morry, of Palermo. Joe is a member of the U.S. Army Guard, in Bangor, and is currently being trained to be a corrections officer.

On April 1, AFC completed the acquisition of the fuel/propane and service segments of J&S Oil, Inc., of Manchester.

“We have a tremendous amount of respect for what the J&S team has built over the years. They have been a trusted member of the Augusta and Winslow communities and we intend to carry on that legacy,” assured Marc V. Lacasse, AFC President and CEO. “We are very excited to begin working with the excellent staff and wonderful customers that J&S has created relationships with over the last 44 years.”

J&S offices on Western Avenue, in Manchester, and Augusta Road, in Winslow, will continue to operate as usual with the same staff customers have come to know and trust over the years. AFC also operates their main office on Northern Avenue, in Augusta, and a satellite office on Mutton Lane, in Clinton.

AFC has served the greater Augusta area since 1888. Their mission is to provide the best home and commercial comfort solutions with a professionalism and reliability that is unmatched. They currently deliver oil, kerosene, propane and commercial fuel products and provide heating, plumbing, cooling and electrical services and installations – 24/7/365 – to Central Maine. More information can be found at afccomfort.com.