Edgecomb Column: Voting, gardens and work party

Wed, 10/22/2014 - 8:45am

Our Town Clerk Claudia Coffin has let me know that the time is upon us all to start early voting. Go to the Edgecomb Town Hall on Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m., or call her at 207-882-7018 during those hours, for more details. As nearly everyone knows, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and since it is of national scope, the hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

School garden news and an invitation from Becky Benton: "All proceeds received during the Edgecomb Eddy school garden open house will go to support the garden program. Some parents have expressed interest in learning how to plant garlic. I'd be glad to have adult garden days after school on a Wednesday, starting in mid-October. This adult garden time will be open to teachers, parents and any community members. If Wednesdays work out, October dates to plant garlic would be the 15th, 22nd, 29th, meeting in the garden at 3 p.m. If you are interested, please come join in the fun, and learn about various types of garlic.

From Lisa McSwain: "The Schmid Preserve Committee has scheduled a work party for Sunday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet the group at the Old County Road entrance. Bring loppers and pruning saws if you have them. If you bring a chainsaw, make sure you have protective gear! The preserve is beautiful right now." A perfect place to leaf-peep, while you are opening trails for autumnal hikers.

It's not often that I get a poetic item, other than my own occasional yields to vanity. But let me now present "An Ode to Faithful Cunningham Road," by Jarryl Larson of Spruce Ridge Road. (I hope she will forgive my scrunching up the lines, for the sake of space):

"You arrived years ago / designed for open space / for families to grow.

Your design was what was known at the time / And you did your best to serve and protect.

Your mouth was open like the crest of a wave / And you worried about the possible danger / Still you did your best to serve and protect.

Every day and every year more and more vehicles came over the crest / Still you did your best to serve and protect.

Drivers relied on the trail you provide and checked two ways far and wide / Still you did your best to serve and protect.

At last a committee of concern came along to see / While you did your best to serve and protect.

Safety was at stake as the volume of travelers continued to go by / Still you did your best to serve and protect.

At last you were laid to rest, no longer needed to serve and protect.

A new Cunningham Road has taken up the cross, / No longer opening as the crest of a wave / She opens wide with far clearer sight.

Today we drive by old faithful Cunningham Road / And bow in honor of her faithful role / serving and protecting families and friends.

Farewell, old faithful, you kept us safe. We greet your replacement / Knowing she too will do her best to serve and protect."

Meanwhile, the apples are falling, and we must go a'gathering at 234 River Road, 207-633-2978 and jocam@tidewater.net.