Are we having fun yet?

I don’t know about you, but after a week of  shoveling, my shoulders are stiff and my back is creaky. Who said: “If you can’t take the Maine winters you don’t deserve the summers?” After being hammered by a real Nor’easter, I believe we deserve a splendid summer. Note to Mother Nature: Are you listening?

One bit of good news is that no one died shoveling show, at least we don’t know of a shovel fatality. Another tidbit of good news was that road crews from all the towns did a splendid job keeping the roads open.  Unlike some communities, where cooperation is a dirty word, our crews worked together.

For example, Steve Lewis, the big boss at the dump (er, Transfer Station), is usually a chatty fellow. Last week, he said he was too busy to talk. He had gotten a call from “The Harbor,” and they wondered if he might bring his mighty front end  loader over to help them cut down the huge snowbanks. “Sure,” he said, and did.

I am told one of our favorite local lobstermen plowed his way down to the dock to shovel out his boat. After he finished his chore, he noticed the float was overloaded and getting ready to go under, so he shoveled it out. Noticing the rest of the floats were in the same fix, he kept shoveling until they were all snow-free.

One day, after a bit of shoveling, I was getting ready to attempt to drive my bride’s car down the hill and rip through the high bank at the foot of the apron, when I noticed a neighbor’s pick-up (with plow attached) had stopped. He smiled, held up his index finger and lowered his plow and gave the tough icy barrier a swipe or two.

Thanks, Matt Carter, for your kindness.

Later that same day, as I was cleaning up some icy spots by the garage, I saw a big yellow tractor with a front end loader stop, and widen the driveway apron.

I shuffled down the hill to thank the tractor driver, but I was too slow and he just drove down the road. But, I know that tractor and want to give a big thank you to Pat Farrin for his kindness.

I am sure I am not the only person who has a similar story about neighbors helping neighbors. Somehow, it seems the worst of times brings out the best in lots of folks. At least, that has been my experience.

Ms. Piggy update  

I thought I would share an update on the status of Ms. Piggy, the iconic wooden figure that for at least 20 years or so, has stood beside Route 27  holding Joan Rittall’s mailbox.

Ms. P is also known as an astute observer of all things local, but that is another story for another day. We all love Ms. Piggy, and cheered as Alice Larkin Larrabee dressed her in clothing appropriate to the season. This week, for instance, Ms. P would be wearing a blue and gold cheerleaders outfit to encourage the Seahawk boys and girls basketball teams as they participate in the state tournament.

As you know, Ms. Alice has retired as the official dresser for Lady Piggy, but Deb Yale and others agreed to take on the task. Last fall, her faithful servants arranged for Ms. Piggy to spend the winter at a special spa to get a bit of “work” done. Deb now tells me Ms. P went under the knife and came out in splendid fashion. No, she did not seek an enhanced front and back porch as her original figure was, and is, just right.

Getting to the point, Deb promises that come summertime, Ms. Piggy will be back on her post, showing off her curves and dispensing with her usual sardonic quips on everything and anything.

Fake (?) News

It is no secret that some politicians now label any news story they don’t like as “fake news.”

For the most part, journalists are used to criticism from both sides of the political aisle and just ignore the insult. But not so out west. After the Grand Junction (Colorado) Sentinel penned a piece criticizing their local state senator for dragging his feet on a bill that would allow taxpayers additional access to government information, the senator called it “fake news.”

The paper shot back at him.

“We are brokers in facts. Words have real meaning in this business. He defamed this company. I’ll see you in court,” said the publisher, whose statements made the national news.