Last week, I said social media helped spread the word when traffic lights in Wiscasset were stuck on red. And I gave a somewhat vague clue to this week's somewhat related topic that stems from a post found when searching Facebook under "lights stuck on red Wiscasset." I said the post was something we could "pond-er" this week and it involved a place far outside New England. Did you figure it out?

The pond part is from the expression "across the pond," for across the Atlantic Ocean to England, and the far outside New England part also alluded to England. So how does Great Britain relate to Wiscasset's recent experience? A town there had its red lights stuck, too, this summer.

An Ellesmere Community News June 25 Facebook post read: "lights down the mere stuck on RED." According to merriam-webster.com, mere, as a noun, is "chiefly British" and means an "expanse of standing water," such as a lake.

"Thanks for the vocabulary lesson, Susan. But why is any of this worth mentioning," you ask?

You're welcome, and thanks for asking. So, the interesting part is what I found at ellesmere.info. For a town several time zones from here, and a nation and an ocean away, Ellesmere sounds a lot like a certain town on this side of the pond: "Known For Its Stunning Landscapes, Historic Landmarks, And Vibrant Community Spirit, Ellesmere Offers An Idyllic Escape From The Hustle And Bustle Of City Life."

Sound familiar? Wiscasset has some bustle due to Route One and the lack of a bypass, but that is also how people find the shops, restaurants, dealerships, galleries, hardware, candy and some of the other businesses in town.

Aside from the sometime "bustle," though, you could pretty seamlessly replace Ellesmere with Wiscasset in that inviting description, from the scapes to history and the spirit. Wiscasset, like Ellesmere, has it all. 

And there's more. The same site says: 

"Experience The Vibrant Community Spirit Of Ellesmere At One Of Its Many Events And Festivals Throughout The Year. From Lively Music Concerts To Colorful Arts And Crafts Fairs, There’s Always Something Happening In Ellesmere To Entertain And Inspire." I really dislike the overuse of capital letters, but, other than that, again just replace Ellesmere with Wiscasset and it is a match. Wiscasset has the "Alive on the Common" concert series in summer and, in the school year, student concerts including the great one at the tree lighting. Festivals? Got those, too: Summerfest, Strawberry Festival, Wiscasset Art Walk and now even Wormfest. Those include crafts, as do some businesses, so Wiscasset checks that box also. 

Boo to traffic lights' fallibility. And yay to all the good in this town, like in Ellesmere, apparently; ellesmere.info also mentions scenic trails. Wiscasset has those, too.

Week's positive parting thought: Ellesmere has Ellesmere Castle; we have Castle Tucker!