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In Memoriam: David M. Spencer

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:37:59 -0700

David M. Spencer, 51, husband of Maria (Alsola) Spencer, died July 1, 2009, at his residence. He was born Nov. 30, 1957, in Waterville, the son of Bartlett and Norma (Lufkin) Spencer. David and Maria were married Oct. 25, 1988. He was a loving...

Piscataquis sheriff wants E-911 conversion now - Bangor Daily News

sbarden@trcmaine.org (Diana Bowley Staff Writer) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this article from Bangor Daily News

Public Notice: Free Youth Program Begins July 8th

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:41:11 -0700

The Penquis Youth Ideas and Partnership Project (YIPP) begins its summer session on Wednesday, July 8th. Meetings take place every Wednesday from 4:00-5:15 at the Milo Public Library. YIPP is a FREE program for all youth ages 12-18 in the Milo area. Participants will meet new people, develop life skills, build positive relationships with adults, and above all HAVE FUN!! They will also have the chance to use their creativity and energy in activities that make a difference in their community. Upon completion of each project, youth celebrate their success with a fun activity of their choice. Past celebrations have included bowling, dinners, movies and roller-skating. If you are interested in participating in Penquis YIPP, contact Brianna at 564-7116 or 1-888-497-3500. Referrals from adults working with youth are encouraged.

Couple finds suitable heirs for property - Bangor Daily News

sbarden@trcmaine.org (Diana Bowley Staff Writer) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this article from Bangor Daily News

THREE RIVERS NEWS: June 30, 2009 - Volume 8, Number 35

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Three Rivers News is published weekly by Three Rivers Kiwanis and Three Rivers Community Alliance. It is available Mondays at the Milo Farmer's Union, BJ's Market, Graves' Service Station, Robinson's Fuel Mart, Reuben's Farmer's Market, The Restaurant, Milo Exxon, Rite Aid, and Elaine's Basket Cafe. The paper can also be viewed online at www.threeriversnews.net. Donations can be mailed to Valerie Robertson, PO Box 81, Milo, Maine 04463.

Public Notice: Penquis Kicks Off Piscataquis Region School Supply Drive

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:45:14 -0700

Penquis is once again asking businesses and individuals to give the gift of school supplies to students in need for the upcoming school year. The Smart Starts for Students campaign will benefit students in the greater Piscataquis region, covering MSAD #4, MSAD #41, MSAD #46, MSAD #68, and Union #60. The campaign runs from July 1 to August 3. All types of back to school items are accepted, from pens and pencils to calculators and backpacks, which will be distributed to students in mid-August. Cash donations are also accepted. There are plenty of opportunities to donate. Drop boxes are located at the Penquis Higher Education Center, WDME and Thackerys Office & Craft Supply. Additional drop box locations are sought for the Greenville, Dexter, Guilford, and Milo areas. Businesses are encouraged to participate in the Dress Down on Fridays in July fundraiser by collecting $2 from each participating employee for every Friday in the month of July that they choose to dress down. The total dollar amount should then be sent to Penquis in the form of a check. On Tuesday, July 28th the Penquis Summer Fun Program will hold a car wash open to the public from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Station on East Main Street. Proceeds from this event will benefit this school supply drive. Those attending the Dover-Foxcroft Shiretown Homecoming Parade on August 1 should look for the Penquis van. The van will follow the parade route, accepting donations from watchers. In addition, Rowells Garage has donated a bus that will be parked near the downtown festival and taking donations for the day. Help us help students this year! Interested businesses and individuals wishing to donate supplies or money, to place a donation box at their place of business, or to participate in the dress down on Fridays in July fundraiser should contact Jim Macomber at 564-7116, jmacomber@penquis.org or visit www.PiscataquisResources.org and click on Smart Starts for Students to print out a donation form.

New History for Milo Pub - WABI TV-5 News

sbarden@trcmaine.org ( ) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this article from WABI TV-5 News

Womancare Opens New Facility In Dover-Foxcroft - WLBZ-2 Newscenter

sbarden@trcmaine.org ( ) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this article from WLBZ-2 Newscenter

Public Notice: Sebec Annual Fourth of July Celebration

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:12:59 -0700

Dear Sober Moose: About this Blog

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:02:14 -0700

This is an advice blog. Feel free to ask your questions here, and the Sober Moose will answer them. Ask a Question

Highlight: Memorial Service for Doris E. Todd

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this Highlight.

Public Notice: Remember the Kiwanis Auction continues Saturday at 10:00 a.m. !!!

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:38:15 -0700

June 26 and 27 are the dates for the Annual Kiwanis Auction. Donations of items to be auctioned are still being accepted. Please contact Auction Chairman, Bobby Ellison, at 943-2317 to donate auction items. See you tonight at 6:00. Come a little early and see what will be going on the auction block to help Kiwanis help area children. Thank you for your support !!!

Public Notice: Park Street United Methodist Church in Milo

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:37:13 -0700

Worship Services and Sunday School will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons Piscataquis Lodge #44 at 6 Dusty Lane, Milo, until the church building is once again ready for use. AA will continue to meet at their regular times and dates, but in the Education Wing at 15 Park Street, Milo.

Highlight: Committal Service for Phyllis Gould

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this Highlight.

In Memoriam: Anthony M. Kindamo

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:37:20 -0700

Anthony M. Kindamo, 89, husband of Marilyn (Chase) Kindamo, died June 24, 2009, at a Dover-Foxcroft nursing home. He was born June 13, 1920, in Pittsfield, Mass., the son of Joseph M. and Mary (Catrambone) Kindamo. Throughout the years, he had...

State looking to merge Piscataquis county courts - Bangor Daily News

sbarden@trcmaine.org ( ) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this article from Bangor Daily News

THREE RIVERS NEWS: June 23, 2009 - Volume 8, Number 34

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

In Memoriam: Paul Christie

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:10:15 -0700

Paul Christie died Monday, June 22, 2009, at his home in Hallieford, Va. Born Aug. 24, 1934, in Milo, Paul was the second son of the late Lindon and Ethelyn Christie. He was educated in Maine, graduated from Colby College, Waterville, and was...

In Memoriam: Eleanor L. Caruso

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:07:52 -0700

Eleanor L. Caruso, 72, passed away peacefully June 20, 2009, at a Dover-Foxcroft hospital. Eleanor was born July 25, 1936, in Orneville, to the late Horace Chadbourne and Mildred (Pearl) Chadbourne Smith. Eleanor attended schools in Milo before...

From Away: Returning to the homestead from "away"

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:39:34 -0700

I finally found a former colleague and friend after over a year of trying to Google her identity for her current location/residence. She worked in New Bedford, MA with me in St. Luke's Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry. I knew she had moved from her home in the Providence, RI area but I did not know where. (The annual Christmas card was not forwarded and sent back...) I learned from the Internet that her name was associated with a college in the New Haven, CT area; I called the college but could not get confirmation that she still worked there. She had been listed as a teacher for nursing students. So that became a dead end. Finally, I searched her through Facebook..thinking she might have joined up as I have to keep in contact with her children who live in various parts of the world. And yes, she was on the list. But, she did not respond to my seeking a "friend" contact. But just today, she did respond to my request via Facebook. I discovered she had moved to Oregon to be nearer her daughter. After two years there, she moved back to New England stating she just did "not fit in" there. Her birthplace and childhood home was in New Haven, CT so she returned there to be near her relatives and old friends. And now we can re-engage our friendship. But the interesting thing to me was...how the pull of a homestead hometown area can operate. She hadn't lived in CT for some 30 years yet was happy to return there. And she says though she loves her children...one in Oregon, the other in British Columbia, CA...she prefers visiting them on vacation trips versus leaving her comfort zone of familiar territory. I have no family left in Simsbury, CT so that scenario isn't going to work for me. But this area in Milo has many similarities...so I think I am set.

Highlight: Milo Rec Summer Youth Tennis Program

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this Highlight.

Highlight: Three Rivers Kiwanis Auction

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this Highlight.

In Memoriam: Donald Arnold Lee

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:18:05 -0700

In Loving memory of a truly great Dad.

Public Notice: Workshop on Consolidated Police Services

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:54:43 -0700

Workshop to be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 6:30 pm at the Milo Town Hall. The Brownville and Milo Boards of Selectmen are holding this workshop to discuss the option of moving forward with exploring consolidation of the Milo and Brownville Police Departments. Interested community members are invited to attend the meeting and listen to the discussion. FMI contact Ginny Morrill, Brownville Town Office, at 207-965-2561.

Public Notice: New TRC Webcam

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:43:50 -0700

TRC is looking for a sponsor for our next Milo Webcam. We have decided to place it near Harris Field on Elm Street. The total cost for the camera and outdoor housing is about $1,300. If anyone would be interested in donating money towards this camera, or any businesses would be interested in sponsoring it, please contact us!

Public Notice: Milo Rec Summer Youth Tennis Program

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:43:19 -0700

Highlight: Memorial Service for Gertrude J. Lockhart

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Click the link to view this Highlight.

Public Notice: LaGrange Days Celebration on July 10-11-12, 2009

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:17:15 -0700

THREE RIVERS NEWS: June 16, 2009 - Volume 8, Number 33

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

There from Here: Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District Summer Camp

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:13:35 -0700

The annual Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District Summer Camp makes learning fun and gives children an opportunity to explore the natural resources and agriculture of the region. Our Natural Resources Summer Camp will be held from July 20th July 24th, and will be based out of Foxcroft Academy. Summer campers will participate in the art of fly tying and casting, aquatic insects and water quality, map and compass orienteering, exploring the forests, wildlife, canoeing and guiding. There will be presenters from the, the Maine Forest Service and the Penobscot Indian Nation along with a local Registered Maine Guide and Fly Fishing Mentor. Our Agricultural Tours Summer Camp will be held from July 27th - to July 31st. Participants will gather at the Foxcroft Academy Student Center, and then will be bussed from there to partake in our farm tour adventures. The children will learn in a hands on way about organic farming at Green Ledges Farm, raising sheep for fiber and goats and cattle for dairy purposes at Widdershins Farm, raising bees and bee production at Moss Flower Farm, proper care of large and small animals at Foxcroft Veterinary Service and horse care and equestrian skills at Infinity Farm. The camp will be offered from 9:00AM to Noontime for children ages 7 - 12. Enrollment is limited to 30 children. The Foxcroft Academy is donating space in their Student Center for the camp. Community support for this summer camp is provided with funding from local Kiwanis organizations and the Milo Garden Club. Snacks are donated by the SaveaLot Food Store. These camps are made possible due to the support from the local community and schools, the guest speakers who volunteer their time for presentations, and the farm families that host our children during the week. Staff of the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District host and facilitate the camp with some parent assistance with guiding the group in the daily summer camp activities. Children will need to wear sturdy shoes that can get wet and muddy. Pre-registration is required by Monday, July 14th. For more information and for pre-registration, please contact the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District by calling 564 2321, extension 3, e-mail info@piscataquisswcd.org or stop by our office at 42 Engdahl Drive in Dover Foxcroft. Submitted by Shelia Richard, Executive Director/Education Coordinator

There from Here: PRYMCA Swim Program

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:15:25 -0700

Thanks to the generosity and support of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis, the PR YMCA will be offering summer swim lessons for Dover-Foxcroft residents two days per week to children who have completed Kindergarten and older at half price ! The cost to enroll is $30.00 per child and must be paid at registration time. We will begin registration at the YMCA on Monday, May 25^th at 9:00 am and continue through June 15^th. The summer swim program will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00a.m. beginning Monday, June 22^nd. The final class will be Wednesday, August 13^th. We are so fortunate to have community support for our youth through organizations like the Kiwanis. The PRYMCA would like to extend an invitation to all Kiwanians to visit the Y and witness the lives we touch each and every day through your support. Thank you for all that you do ! For more information please contact Sara Lopez, Aquatics Coordinator at the PRYMCA @ 564-7111.

There from Here: Open House Invitation, June 30

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:56:24 -0700

Pine Tree Hospice and the Piscataquis Public Health Council welcomes the public to attend an Open House at their new location on Tuesday, June 30^th from 3-5 p.m.

The new offices are located at 883 West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft on the campus of Mayo Regional Hospital (formerly Mayo Counseling Services).

Meet the staff and take a tour, light refreshments will be served.

FMI call PTH at 564-4346 or PPHC at 564-4344.

THREE RIVERS NEWS: June 09, 2009 - Volume 8, Number 32

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

From Away: Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the Military

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:14:28 -0700

I just don't get it. An accomplished officer is kicked out of service because it was found out that he was gay. The old generation rationale for not wanting gays in the service was...what? That a fellow man in a male barrack would seduce you? That a gay man would wimp out in battle? That a gay man would scare others because of close quarters and what? The possibility that one "straight" serviceman would be "converted" or scared that he had the same "tendencies" albeit untested? Was there fear that a gay man would rape a straight man? Just think about the introduction of females in the military services. They actually are raped and harassed by straight men...at least that had been an initial problem. And gay women? How are they going to scare straight or gay men? How are they going to threaten straight women? All females I know well have had experiences of having to firmly say "NO" to a straight man...sometimes to no avail. Women are used to getting "hit" upon with uncomfortable results. It is part of growing up that women have to learn to take care not to "invite" opportunities to become prey to either a man or a woman...i.e. it is a good idea to avoid walking in the dark unescorted by a pack of Rottweilers or known friendly "sober" men. Also, women have to discern the safety of drinking alcohol or any other judgement reducing chemical when on a date or in the company of persons that are unfamiliar to them. Women have had to deal with these issues since Eve's ancestors took hold on Earth. And Eve was naive, if you remember the story...until the apple routine. So, I sometimes think, only gays should be in the military service...just think of the financial savings that would endure because of less dependents to feed and provide survivor benefits. No...I really think effective soldiers (male, female whether straight or gay, bi) should be the ones in service.

There from Here: Outdoor Expo and Family Fun Day

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:44:26 -0700

[caption id="attachment_234" align="alignnone" width="232" caption="Family Fun Day"][/caption]

From Away: Traveling to Eastern Canada

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:22:33 -0700

'I am amazed at how few people I meet in Maine who have never been to Quebec, New Brunswick or any other eastern Canadian province. This state is essentially bordered on 2 1/2 sides by Canada. And usually the US dollar is worth more than a Canadian dollar...last I heard it was the Canadian dollar equaling 84 cents US...last year it was reversed ergo so many people from New Brunswick came to the Bangor Mall for bargains. Anyway, I am looking forward to my first Elderhostel trip and program this summer in Quebec Province where I will study conversational French in a relaxed chalet farm that grows organic produce and have my three meals a day there. A fellow transplant "away" person is joining me; she recently had a wonderful time in Vermont doing a culinary program learning about gourmet cooking and checking out goat farms, etc. where cheeses are made. That program was also Elderhostel. If you do not know about this program, check it out on Internet and request their extensive catalogue. Some programs are quite expensive ...therefore, I only look into the ones I can drive to... If you are not the type to enjoy Disney World or large resorts, then you may like this sort of adventure. The programs are rated for activity level as some are more athletic than cerebral. So this closeness to Canada is one other feature of merit living in Maine. Viva Les Quebecois!

Recreation: Brownville / Milo Summer Recreation Programs

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:07:52 -0700

Summer Recreation Departments' Programs YMCA Swimming Milo Rec. has partnered with the PC YMCA to offer swimming lessons for our youth. Wednesdays from 9:00 am - 10:00 am at the Dover YMCA. A bus will be leaving the PVHS lower Parking lot at 8:30 am. To sign up please call Milo Rec. at 943-7326 or Dover YMCA at 564-7111 $30.00 registration fee for a 8 week camp. Please call Milo Rec. for more information. Horse Riding Camp Where: Stone Ridge Stable, Atkinson When: July 6 - 9 and July 14 - 17 Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Cost: $60 a day or $200 for full camp Contact Stacia Russell before the June 29th registration cut off date. Fishing Camps Fishing Camps are offered as a means to provide campers with an opportunity to fish in a safe and controlled setting that allows for the fisherman to learn to essentials of fishing. Fishing Dates: July 3rd & July 23rd Time and Place: 9:00 am -11:00 am at the Milo Public Boat Landing in Veterans Memorial Park. Basketball Camps Boys When: From Monday June 16th to Friday July 10th Where: Penquis Valley High School Who: For boys grades 8-12 Registration: Through the Milo Rec. Dept. at the Milo Town Hall. Registration can also be made directly to Coach Hamlin at PVHS. Registration should be done before the close of school in June Girls Grades 9-12 Girls will play according to the schedule passed out by Coach Russell Co-ed Youth Camps When : Monday through Thursday June 22- June 25 June 29- July 2 July 6- July 9 Where: Penquis Valley High School / Brownville Elementary School Who: Grades 3-8 Grades 3-5 ~~~ 8:30 - 10:00am Grades 6-8 ~~~10:15 - 11:45am Program Fee: There will be instruction at a cost of $65.00 for the program. PVHS Girls Coach, Walley Russell will head the camp for the summer. Each Camper will be provided with a Basketball and T-Shirt with the camper name on it. Prizes will be given daily for Player of the Day and Shooting Games. Kin-da Camps When: June 22-26 Where: Milo Elementary School Who: Pre-K- 2 grade Pre-K- K ~~~ 1:00 -2:00 pm Grade 1-2 ~~~ 2:15- 3:15 pm Cost will be $25.00 per player, including a T-shirt with name, photo, basketball and prizes Summer Baseball Tee Ball When: Thursday 6/30 to Thursday 7/23 From: 9:00 am -10:00 am Where: Harris Field Who: Open to ages 3-5 boys and girls This is a chance for kids to learn the basics of baseball, while having fun outside. Sign-Ups will be on the first day of practice. Farm League When: Thursday 6/30 to Thursday 7/23 From: 10:00 am - 11:00 am Where: Harris Field Who: Open to ages 6-8 boys and girls This is a chance for kids to expand on the basics of baseball, while having fun outside. Sign-Ups will be on the first day of practice. Little League Sign-Up sheets have been passed out to all elementary schools and are available at both the Milo and Brownville Rec. Dept. Teams will be picked and it is up to the coaches to contact and schedule practice times, game times are placed on the schedules passed out to the coaches. Players need to be equipped.

Travel Little League (Already in session), Come down and enjoy the sights and sounds of the games. Tennis Camps Ages 4-9 When: Starting Wednesday , 6/17 - Thursday, 7/23 Where: Harris Field Tennis Courts Who: Boys and Girls between the ages of 4-9 Time: Wednesday & Thursday, 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Ages 10-14 When: Tuesday & Thursday, 7/7- 7/23 From: First Day 10:00 -11:45 am Beginners ~~~ 10:00 am -11:00 am Intermediate ~~~ 11:15 am - 12:15 am Where: Harris Field Tennis Courts Who: Open to males and females ages 10-14 Campers need tennis racket and shoes, NO FLIP-FLOPS ! Round Robin Tournament on 7/23 Contact: Bob and Mary Lou @ 943-3267 or 965-9721 or Milo Rec. @ 943- 7326

Summer Soccer Summer Soccer Camp Grades K-7 (for the 09-10 school year) When: August 3 - 7th Where: Harris Field Who: Open to grades K - 7 (sessions TBA later) Questions ? Please Contact Jason Mills at 943-7981 or Chris Cowing at 943-5714 Boys H.S. Summer Soccer Boys entering grades 8-12 for 2009-2010 school year will have soccer in the evenings. There is no cost and adults are welcome to play with this age group as well. A calendar will be passed out to people playing later on. Questions ? Please contact Jason Mills at 943-7981 or 478-3249 Girls Summer Soccer Girls entering grades 8-12 for the 2009-2010 school year Schedules will be available from Teri Morrill Questions ? Contact Teri at 943-6334 Summer Golf Lessons Summer Golf Camp A chance for Beginners and Intermediate Players to expand upon the knowledge and love of the game of Golf. $20.00 per child for the one week camp Starting on July 27th - July 31st Grades K-3 ~~~ 9:00 am -10:00 am Grades 4-6 ~~~10:15 am - 11:15 am Grades 7-12 ~~~ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Clubs can be provided/ Personal clubs are preferred. Adult Lessons - will be offered on a one-one basis. Contact Jeremy Bousquet at 943-7326 to sign-up for lessons and for lesson rates.

TRC Blog: New Blog: Tightwad Tidbits

Sun, 31 May 2009 17:06:48 -0700

We are unveiling our newest blog, Tightwad Tidbits. This blog will contain tips and tricks to living a frugal lifestyle. Check it out! http://blogs.trcmaine.org/tightwad/

From Away: Milo Elementary School Band Wows the Crowd

Tue, 26 May 2009 09:11:16 -0700

Congratulations to the Music Director, the Milo Elementary School staff, students and parents. The Memorial Day Parade was sparked up by the great uniforms, marching form, and enthusiasm of the kids in the band! I propose the elementary school band mentor the PVHS equivalent!

Doesn't Make Cents: Oh those credit cards

Fri, 22 May 2009 22:22:51 -0700

I hope everyone has been watching what has been happening lately in regards to the recent credit card legislation. The media has been picking and choosing what to highlight and depending on your choice of medium doom and gloom is met by slight promise. The law is full of it's ups and downs, but what law isn't. I can almost quarantee that since the required changes aren't required to go into effect until the beginning of next year there will be some major rate changing going on in the coming months. Don't be surprised to get some mail stating your credit limit has gone down and your interest rate up. I'm not gonna take the next 300 words and explain every aspect of the new law as most news portals have beat the hell out of it. But please, take the time to read what will be expected of the credit card companies next year and pay close attention to noted pitfalls. Personally I don't buy all the media speculation that the credit card companies will start penalizing their good customers. Yeah, there may be some annual fee increases and a bit higher interest rate for balance transfers but the companies will still feed on those people that go 60 days delinquent at which time the companies can jack the rate again.

TRC Blog: Updated Calendar

Sun, 03 May 2009 16:07:42 -0700

The Community Calendar has been updated for TRC 5.0! Check it out. Instead of having to click on links for the event information, it pops up in a handy little tooltip. (if you like to click for your information, you can still click and work it the old way). Let me know what you think!!

TRC Blog: TRN Domain

Sat, 02 May 2009 02:21:11 -0700

The Three Rivers News now has its very own domain name! Check it out at http://www.threeriversnews.net/.

TRC Blog: Three Rivers News Domain

Sat, 02 May 2009 02:19:45 -0700

Transplant Musings: More about the Deer

Fri, 01 May 2009 21:46:26 -0700

Maybe the situation isn't as bleak as I had first thought concerning the deer and my dogs. I understand the deer are very vulnerable right now for several reasons. This vulnerability is temporary and soon the deer will be much better off. They are concentrated close to town. Apparently it is easier for them to get around and find forage. They are stressed from the winter season. It is nearing the end and the animals have used a great deal of their physical resources. The does are carrying fawns that are nearing term. Apparently a doe can expel her fawn if chased by predators. This makes sense...kind of like a lizard losing its tail when captured by a predator. Better to lose the tail, or in this case a fawn, and grow a new one, therefore preserving the reproductive capacity of the adult animal. It's a survival strategy designed to help preserve the species at the expense of individual animals. These conditions will pass with the winter and the deer will disperse back into more remote areas of the woods. Right now it is not at all unusual to see them right in the back yard. I think once the temptation disappears the dogs will hardly give thought to deer. I was only letting them out to pee and they do not go far. I'm sure they saw or smelled the deer and gave chase like most any dog would do. I am a responsible dog owner and I keep control. This particular incident was the result of letting them out to pee unsupervised for just a brief period. Typically I don't do that but it was a moment of lax judgment. I now keep them on long leashes that I had made just for that purpose. It's a bit more hassle but well worth the effort.

Up on the Farm: My Day In Lagrange..

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:27:00 -0700

OK..About my day delivering mail in Lagrange..#1 I almost ran over an alternator or carburator or some car part that shouldn't be in front of a mail box. #2 A guy on a 4-Wheeler came out of no where on Mill Street..doing a wheelie..Correct me...

Up on the Farm: New Beginnings~

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:13:56 -0700

Today is a fabulously beautiful day in Milo, Maine!! So many wonderful things going on in town..And I noticed that the Pink Tulips planted on the old True Value lot have broken through..Hope, and Tulips spring eternal!! The grant...

Doesn't Make Cents: Hope Springs Eternal

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 10:02:01 -0700

I hope the spring time has found everyone healthy; both physically and mentally. For those of you who have chosen to live the last 4 months avoiding the consistent negative reports from the media in regards to the economy I'm sure you have perserved at least 5 years of your life span. As for the rest of us, well, gray hairs and sleepless nights I'm sure are the norm. While there have been some brief hints at a pulse of late there are sure to be many more poor months ahead. We're still losing 500-600K jobs with ease and unemployment benefits for many Americans are scheduled to end after 2 extensions of benefits. The access to money because of the ever tightening credit market has added to the pains as many small business owners cannot access enough credit to make payroll, leading to layoffs, leading to less money in the economy. How do we fix this problem? I truly don't think there is a "fix". The economy will heal itself once supply and demand come more in line and the saturated market place will again thrive, but not at the heights we knew...the 5 million or so jobs we've lost will not come back over night....I'd be surprised if they come back in the next 5 years and much of that depents on what happens with the car industry which is a whole other discussion in itself. I've been making myself familiar with President Obama's Home Affordable Mortgage Plan over the last few weeks and while it does address the essential problem of people paying a mortgage they can't afford the program does very little to help those that have lost jobs. The end mission of the plan is to modify a mortgage so the payment is no more than 38% of monthly gross income.....once that happens the government chips in to reduce the payment to 31% of gross income. This is achieved by 1)reducing the interest rate(not to go below 2%) 2)extend mortgage terms(up to 40 years...can you imagine?) 3)If that doesn't do it than the forgiveness of principal is introduced. Of course each borrower has to show income for the plan to work. So yeah, those people that have lost jobs have no income for this to work. The program is also not for people that have the home as an investment property and the property cannot be for sale. So, in closing there are programs out there intending to help people but what price will we pay for this? Future generations are sure to be saddled with unimagineable debt and with foreign government pressuring the government to avoid devaluing the dollar and other world governments calling for a new denomination to be used as the global pricing unit.....the challenges are great. Patience will be the rule for many years to come, which, for Americans, hasn't always been the easiest virtue to comply with.

Up on the Farm: The Storm of Feb.23,2009

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:39:16 -0800

Are many of you still so young at heart that a big storm fills you with excitement, anticipation and glee?? I was this morning: this afternoon-Not so much. When I drove home last night a little after 9, the snow was falling at a pretty good...

MSAD #41 Tidbits: Moving Forward

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 13:41:05 -0800

MSAD 41 Board of Directors and MSAD 31Board of Directors along with educators, superintentents , local town managers and selectmen met at the Lagrange Marion C Cook school on Thursday February 12, 2009. The focus of this meeting was to informally discuss the possibility of sharing resources outside of the confines of an AOS or RSU to improve the quality of education for our children and potentially save taxpayer dollars. All were warmly recieved by the staff of the Cook school and a lively discussion ensued for an hour and a half. Plans for a future meeting with stakeholders are being developed by MSAD 41 superintendent Gilbert Reynolds. The meeting is anticipated after March 16.

Up on the Farm: I might (no comments please) be crazy!!

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:17:18 -0800

Tomorrow is going to be a day unlike any of the other crazy days in my life, and for the purpose of organizing the details in my head I am going to post them here..and also to show that for those of you who donate to PAWS, you make a lot of...

Doesn't Make Cents: Absolutely Mindboggling

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 11:37:31 -0800

1.9 Million Jobs.......lost.....in less than a year. I can't even bend my mind around that number. There were 533,000 jobs lost just last month. I'm still not jumping on the Depression bandwagon talk. Consumers are scared, and therefore don't spend. Consumers don't spend so retailers post small gains. Small gains lead to the need to cut costs and of course the costs that get cut are payroll which reduces the amount of consumers that have the ability to spend. This type of cycle took a long time for us to create so it will take even longer to stop. I have no doubt the entire next year will be full of the same losses and struggles as undoubtedly consumers will continue to lose confidence and employers will look to survive by cutting costs. People will also continue to deal with the loss of equity in homes as well as tighter credit standards in the market. Foreclosures will continue clogging the mortgage market and the auto industry will have to learn to become competitive again. This will all lead to higher savings and less discretionary spending. Now, it took a worldwide economic spasm to make this country spend and it will take something of similar size to make this country spend again. Personally I think it will be in new green power manufacturing(wind turbines, electric cars, solar initiatives). Low gas hasn't done it. Lower grocery costs will not do it. I can't see where a large investment on infrastructure will do it(help yes, solve no). The recovery from this recession will be slow...probably well into 2010. Nonetheless we will recover but the lessons learned along the way will hopefully stay etched in our mind for a long time.

Doesn't Make Cents: Pass the popcorn

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:25:18 -0800

Wow....basically all I can say. Sitting back and watching the past 10 months has been nothing less than shocking. Currently the G-20, http://www.g20.org/G20/ is meeting in D.C. What will come of this meeting? Nothing, plain and simple. This will definately pave the way for future meetings but immediate effects will be nill. Solutions.....nope. Gotta get to the real problems before any answers can be discovered. Problems you ask? Everything from Global Money Policy down to speculation is contributing and needs to be reviewed. Here's some interesting reading for any of those interested. http://www.globalresearch.ca/