I’m off to Baxter State Park for some hiking this weekend. I think Percival Baxter would have frowned on blogging in the shadow of Mt. Katahdin so I won’t be checking in on the diner over the weekend. Keep up the great discussion and ideas and be nice to each other on the blog.–Molly

Don’t forget the Hot Summer Nights Concert tonight at 6:30.  July 31:    Gazpacho! (80’s tribute band) Gazpacho is a very popular band able to cover all the musical genres of the 1980’s - from Classic Rock hits to New Wave electronica, to Top 40 Radio Pop to Hair Metal excess and everything in between! They’ll have you dancin’ in the aisles!  6:30 at Central School or at Town Hall if it rains.

I think I finally found something everyone who reads this blog can agree on:  fresh corn is great.  This came from Wally’s.

Here’s the skinny from last night’s Town Council Meeting:

All Councilors were present.

Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on Back Acres Lane.There was back and forth discussion on the merits of accepting the road at this time since only two houses are built and the road has seven lots.  There was a motion to postpone acceptance until 100% of the lots are built out.  There was discussion with Councilor Demetracopoulos questioning whether (more…)

Monday, July 28

Town Council Workshop re: 2009 Commitment
6:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office

Town Council Meeting
6:30 PM - Council Chambers
On the agenda:
Reports & Correspondence
1. Letter from Planning Board Chair – July 21, 2008
2. Letter from Planning Board Chair – July 23, 2008
Town Manager’s Report
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss/take action on Back Acres Lane.
2. Discuss/take action on rezoning request.
3. Discuss/take action on public hearing for ordinance updates.
New Business
1. Discuss Vine Street parking.
2. Take action on election of MMA officers & executive committee.

Yesterday I got up and went over to Hamilton House to stroll around the garden, walk along the Salmon Falls River, and drink in the smell of new mown hay.  It’s one of my favorite things to do on a sunny summer day.

What do love about South Berwick in the summer?

A brew of information to start the day:

An offering from Childlight Yoga:  Baby Itsy Bitsy Yoga - A nurturing, loving yoga practice for baby and caregiver.  6 week session.  Thursdays, 11:30am-12:30pm.  July 31 - Sept. 4 at Dover Yoga Studio.  Register at www.childlightyoga.com or call 603-781-3323.

The Salmon Falls Mill Front Street Market, Sundays through mid-October from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Front Street in Rollinsford.   The market features local growers, breakfast, lunch grill, baked good, raffles, vintage clothes, fiber art, paintings, jewelry and activities for children, including a Rollinsford fire truck for children to climb on and explore.   I went last Sunday and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, some shopping and people watching.  Check it out.

The Children’s Museum opened at its new location in Dover yesterday.  This article is running in the NH Union Leader today:
Museum quality opening in Dover
New Hampshire Union Leader –The opening was celebrated as a boon to the city…Jack Buckley, the museum’s vice chairman and the executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, called the museum “the most important single economic revitalization project in a very long time.”

Today, July 27 at 4 PM: International performer Randy Armstrong at Hamilton House Summer in the Garden Concert Series.  Hailed by the Boston Globe as a “sure-fingered guitar virtuoso”, guitarist/percussionist, Randy Armstrong, brings his jazz – world music to the garden.  An educator as well as a performer, Armstrong will entertain on a variety of instruments from around the world.  A show sure to please all ages.  For more information: Historic New England at (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

One more day of the Antique Tractor Show in Eliot:  At 10 a.m. the tractor tour starts — a 14-mile parade around Eliot. At 10:30 a.m. a kid’s pedal tractor pull begins. At 1 p.m. a tractor parade begins around the show grounds and at 1:30 the tractor pulling begins. Find out more:  www.eliotantiquetractorandengine.org.

South Berwick resident Gretchen Straub has been thinking about the impact of businesses on property taxes and submitted this editorial:

I was thinking about how getting new businesses in town might affect the tax base so I did some research.  It shows that economic development should not be equated with tax relief at all.

The diagram shows why this is so. South Berwick’s taxable property base is roughly 640 Million dollars. That is over half a Billion dollars.  Billions are difficult to visualize, so this graphic puts the magnitude in perspective.  (more…)

Report: Maine must lessen energy appetite
Portland Press Herald
Saying the nation is “dangerously dependent” on foreign oil, a report presented Tuesday to Gov. John Baldacci calls for expanding home weatherization, conducting more energy audits and other efforts to reduce energy usage in Maine.

CMP seeks approval for $1.4B power lines
York Weekly
The Eliot Board of Selectmen and the South Berwick Town Council voted on July 10 and July 14 respectively to become interveners in the application to the …

Southeastern Maine needs to get on the regional economic …
Portsmouth Herald News
… Wells, York, South Berwick, North Berwick and Berwick to come together to begin planning projects that could greatly influence the economic climate of …

North Berwick residents hoping traffic control measures will help …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
In the 30 years that Mike Pedersen has lived on Madison Street, he says he can’t count the number of times people …

Tree-planting grant awarded to Kittery
York Weekly
It is going to be a little shadier in town next year thanks to a 2008 USDA Forest Service Project Canopy Assistance grant …

NH, Maine offices ensure consumers get their fair share
Portsmouth Herald News
Blanche said his territory stretches roughly from Waterville to Kittery, and that his job is to prevent customers from being shortchanged on their fuel or wood…

Southern Maine regional economic development plan resurfaces
Portsmouth Herald News
… would bring together all or some of the towns of Kittery, Eliot, York, Wells, South Berwick, North Berwick and Berwick in developing such a project. …

Carter’s town manager contract renewed
York Weekly
Under the terms of a new contract that went into effect on June 30, Town Manager Jonathan Carter will remain in that …

South Berwick has begun a community conversation about economic development. (See earlier article about this initiative.) To stimulate thinking, knowledge, and ideas the 236 diner will be offering information and links to a variety of research, reports, and case studies about economic development. This is the first in that series.

Quality of Place and Job Growth: A New and Needed Maine Investment Strategy, a report by the Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place was released in May. The Council was appointed by Governor Baldacci in 2007 in response to the Brookings Institution study: Charting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Place that recommended a three-fold strategy for Maine’s sustainable prosperity: 1) investing in product and service innovation, 2) streamlining government at all levels, and 3) revitalizing our towns and cities while protecting our rural landscapes.

The Council’s report makes the case for protecting and promoting our quality of place as a way to build Maine’s economic prosperity for the future.  The report’s recommendations arise from the changing Maine economy. In the past, Maine’s economy was tied to resource extraction and the use of natural resources as inputs for manufacturing. Now Maine’s economy focuses more on services, from fast food jobs to highly skilled service jobs like computer programming and design. Today’s manufacturing jobs in Maine, whether in lumber, paper, boats, or biomedicine, require much greater worker skills so it means that Maine is in worldwide competition for people who can create and sustain this 21st century economic development.

In this report, the Council asserts that Maine’s chief economic asset in this competition is (more…)

a dragonfly.  I am happy my garden is the host to these guys since they are voracious predators of mosquitoes.

 A blend of information to start the day:

The Front Street Market at the Salmon Falls Mills in Rollinsford kicks off today from 9 am until mid afternoon.  Artists, craftspeople, and growers will be offering their wares, there will be music all day. Rollinsford Fire Department is providing a fire engine for children to explore from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Front Street and Lower Mill restaurants will be serving breakfast. Story-telling will be held in the new Rollinsford Public Library, located in the Lower Mill. Childrens crafts will be in the Upper Mill. FigTree Café (located daily in the Lower Mill) will provide a brisquet in the grill area from noon – 3 p.m.

Hamilton House offers the third concert in its Sundays in the Garden series:  July 20: Omalley’s Alley.  Including bassist Tom Martin and drummer Gene Guth of the popular seacoast R& B band Rhythm Method and guitarist Justin Walton of Dreadnaught,  this ensemble will reach into each other’s repertoire to give material by artists such as Booker T & the MG’s and George Harrison their unique stamp.  The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for Historic New England members and children, free for Historic New England Garden and Landscape Members.  Concert goers are welcome to bring their own chair or blanket and picnicking is encouraged.  In case of rain, concerts are held in the garden cottage.

A portion of Route 91 will be closed to traffic starting July 23  through Aug. 30 for culvert work. Local traffic will have access to their homes but the road will be closed to through traffic from Pudding Lane at the York Corner end to Scotland Bridge Road. Traffic will be diverted down Route 1 to Beech Ridge Road and then to Scotland Bridge Road. The Town of York website has more details.

Nature’s Way Market is offering locally grown produce this summer.  Last night I had local baby squash and crispy cucumbers from local farms that I got at the Market. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next.

Feel like getting away from Maine this summer?  Head to the Jamaican Jerk Center, 1400 Route One in York (Cape Neddick) to be transported to the Caribbean.  This jerk stand serves up chicken, pork, and rib jerk (spiced and marinated meats) served with rice and plaintains as well as goat curry and Ackee and Saltfish, Jamaica’s national dish, if you are feeling adventurous.  Food is packed to go for take away or for eating at the picnic tables and hammocks set up around the stand.  The Boston Reggae band, Counscious plays every Saturday night until Labor Day.  It will make you dance, mon.

There’s a new restaurant in the Kittery Foreside area.  Tulsi serves up Indian specialties based on fresh and local foods in a sophisticated atmosphere decorated with the rich colors of Indian spices and bold abstract art.  It’s at 2 Government Ave. in Kittery.  I was delighted by their mussels served in a rich and spicy curry sauce accompanied by a warm crispy naan bread.  I also had a vegetable korma that had fresh corn in it.  Chef Rajesh Mandekar says they try to use as much local fish and produce as possible to create traditional Indian flavors with a Maine flair.

When we discuss economic development in South Berwick we often focus on new businesses.  However we owe much of our town’s vitality to the businesses that have been thriving and growing here for generations.  P. Gagnon and Son is one such business.  Since 1904 P. Gagnon & Son has been owned by the Gagnon family of South Berwick.  I recently met with Mark Gagnon, great grandson of the founder of P. Gagnon & Son.  Hanging above Mark’s desk is a photograph of his father, who passed away in 1991, when Mark stepped in as head of the company.

Uppermost on Mark’s mind these days is the high cost of fuel.  Last winter was a tough one for P. Gagnon’s customers, but it was no less difficult for P. Gagnon & Son.  Fuel deliveries to the company come in 10,000 gallon lots, so last winter meant a delivery cost of $30,000 and who knows what it will cost next winter.  Mark explained that higher fuel prices don’t translate into higher profits for a local distributor.  He also stresses that this is a very tough time for customers and says P. Gagnon is willing to work out solutions with those who are having a hard time paying for fuel.

Dominating Mark’s desk is a computer monitor open to live information on fuel trading which shows the price for oil fluctuating every few seconds.  “It can make you crazy” says Mark, “I shouldn’t keep looking at it, but I can’t help it.”  His advice to homeowners is that the biggest opportunity right now is in conservation.  (more…)

Route 236 crash causes road closure
Portsmouth Herald News
A Friday morning crash on Route 236 took out a utility pole and forced the closure of a portion of the …

Before it closes, special Mass for St. Michael’s
Foster’s Daily Democrat
If anyone deserves the title of matriarch of St. Michael’s it’s Gloria Roberge, who for all of her 80 years has been …

Economic conditions force a drop in lobster prices, sellers say
Portsmouth Herald News
That is why Sanders and Tom Flanigan, of Seaview Lobster Co. in Kittery, Maine, have decided to lower their soft-shell lobster prices to $4.99 per pound, …

Power line project backed
York Weekly
The Maine Public Utilities Commission staff has recommended that the full commission approve Central Maine Power Co. …

Residents perturbed by powerline proposal
Foster’s Daily Democrat
With a blast from an orange spray paint can marking the edge of the power line alley that runs through the Woodland …

High tension utility line collapses in South Berwick: Sparks brush …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A half-acre of tall grass and brush behind the South Berwick Rod and Gun on Route 236 burned Monday night…

Eliot holds its ground in deal to oust junkyard
York Weekly
The town’s selectmen were unhappy to learn last week that minor changes were made to the Superior Court consent order that requires automobile junkyard owner Timothy Fernald to clean up his property on Spruce Lane.

South  Berwick resident, 12 year old Noah Landis reports an encounter with  newts.  He sent in a report on these little creatures:

Eye of Newt!
I came across this red-spotted or eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) two weeks ago, after a heavy rainstorm on Squam Lake. This common newt begins its life as pond larvae. It sheds its gills, turns orange and develops dark spots during its terrestrial, juvenile stage (what you see here), when it is called a “red eft.” Adult eastern newts are olive green, and spend their life back in the pond. They always keep their spots. The red-spotted newt is the State Amphibian of New Hampshire.  —Noah Landis

South Berwick Council backs another try at regional development …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Four months after a regional development project spearheaded by former Town Manager Jeff Grossman failed, the South …

South Berwick crash leads to multiple charges
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A Somersworth, NH, man who police believe was intoxicated was arrested after the car he was driving drifted off …

Portion of Route 236 closed today for rail replacement
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Motorists will have to take a detour if they plan on traveling through a stretch of Route 236 that runs from South Berwick to Berwick …

Special Mass at St. Michael’s before church ownership is transferred
Foster’s Daily Democrat
In one of the last services before its ownership rights are transferred to the town, a Mass of thanksgiving …

Maine communities ‘cool’ down the planet
York Weekly
In addition, 44 communities in Maine have passed some sort of cool energy initiative. Here in southern Maine, the report chronicles these efforts: n Eliot: …

Solar lights stolen from seven different Rollinsford homes
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A number of solar lights were reported stolen around town during the night of Monday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 8, …

Here is a quick summary of the Town Council Meeting:
All five Councilors were present
Board of Assessors Meeting-Town Council accepted the tax assessment from the County for $348,000
Reports & Correspondence
1. Heating Concerns – Vicki Desilets-Vicki Desilets, Social Services Director described her concerns for the coming heating season.  Many families have expressed fears about their ability to pay for heating this year.  Some ended last season with bills so may not even be able to get their first delivery for this year.  With a minimum delivery of 100 gallons at approximately $500 it will be a challenge for families to pay for even a minimum delivery. (more…)

The Portsmouth Herald is reporting that Rt. 236 just north of South Berwick at the railroad crossing will be closed starting at 9 am tomorrow through the day for some repairs.  Detour will be Blackberry Hill Road.

Here’s the full article in the Herald:
Route 236 closed Tuesday

The Economic Development Committee is launching an initiative that will allow residents to weigh in on the future of economic development in South Berwick.  A process to get citizen input will help shape recommendations for economic development proposals for the town to pursue.  The process will be led by Planning Decisions, a southern Maine based planning consultancy, which has led similar dialogues in other Maine towns.

This effort is a breath of fresh air for South Berwick.  Citizens will be involved from the earliest stages of planning,  dialogue will allow multiple alternatives to be explored, and we will have the opportunity to come to consensus on economic development initiatives that will have broad support.  Kudos to Interim Town Manager Roberta Orsini, the Economic Development Committee, and the Town Council for taking this forward thinking step toward moving South Berwick forward.

Town leaders are doing their part, now it’s time for us citizens to do our part.  Too often in the past the dialogue between Town government and citizens and among citizens has been marked by unwillingness to listen, defending of positions at all cost, and divisive tactics.  This kind of destructive politics has resulted in failed initiatives, bad feelings, and a lot of wasted time, effort and money that none of us have to spare.  This time we can choose to do it differently so we have a chance to move ahead as a community. Will we be open minded and willing to hear all the alternatives?  Will we be willing to imagine the best for South Berwick?  Will we be open to new ideas?  Will we be willing to work together to come to a consensus about how to move ahead?  It’s our choice.

–Molly Colman

Read the Foster’s Daily Democrat article about the economic development discussions:
Planning firm to facilitate development discussions in South Berwick
The town’s Economic Development Committee on Monday signed a contract with a southern Maine-based planning firm to facilitate a grassroots economic development research initiative, marking a shift in the way the economic development process has been handled in recent…

Monday, July 14
Town Council Meeting-Executive Session
6:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office
Executive Session to review the Police Union Contract.
Executive Session Discuss Planning Board Applicants.

Town Council Meeting
6:30 PM - Council Chambers
Agenda:
Board of Assessors
Town Council to reconvene following Assessors
Reports & Correspondence
1. Heating Concerns – Vicki Desilets
2. CMP letter – transmission line.
Unfinished Business
1. Take action on Planning Board appointment.
2. Discuss Back Acres Lane Road Acceptance.
New Business
1. Take action on MMA Legislative Policy Committee ballot.
2. Take action on CDBG application for regional planning.
3. Sign Police Union Contract
4. Sign addendum to Personnel Policy suspending longevity pay.
5. Take action on uncollectible taxes.
6. Discuss Council participation in scoring RFQ for library.
7. Discuss/take action on Executive Search.

Tuesday, July 15
Planning Board Meeting
7:00 PM - Council Chambers
Public Hearing - 7:00 PM
Ordinance Updates:
Land Use Table A - Accessory Apartments and Major Home Occupations;
Business Directional Signs and Peer Review.
Regular Meeting to follow Public Hearing
Correspondence
1.      Memo: Dated June 25, 2008 from Roberta Orsini re: B1 Zone.
2.      Letter: Dated June 23, 2008 from Stephen and Jean Harrington re: Expansion of B1 Zone.
Old Business
1.      Public Hearing - Ordinance Updates: Discuss.
“       Memo: Dated July 7, 2008 from Jim Fisk re: Official Business Directional Signs revisions.
2.      Rules of Procedure and Code of Ethics: Planning Board Bylaws - Revised.
New Business
1.      MSP #08-01; Dennis Robillard, Map 7 Lot 4C-1 - Single Family Residence in I2 Zone.
Ordinance Updates

Wednesday, July 16
Economic Development Committee Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers
Old Business
1) Ribbon Cuttings:
Report on SoBo Book and Bean Cafe ribbon cutting from June 19th
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings – New businesses to be contacted.
2)      Subcommittee Update:
Board of Trade: Status Update - Kathy Wolfe.
South Berwick Business Directory: Status Update - Jim Fisk.
3)      Economic Development Facilitator: Start-up workshop – Karyn Scharf Morin.

Is this a perfect summer day, or what?  Here’s a way to take advantage of the day:

The Hamilton House Summer in the Garden Concert Series continues this afternoon,  July 13 with a performance by Salt River.  Salt River members Lee Hosack, and Mike and Beverly Rogers and Cathy King perform traditional and original music reflecting the lifestyle and people of New England.  Their folk/blues style is accented by their vocal harmonies and Mike’s signature harmonica.  You won’t be able to keep your toes from tapping and your hands from clapping when Salt River takes the stage.

The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for Historic New England members and children, free for Historic New England Garden and Landscape Members.  Concert goers are welcome to bring their own chair or blanket and picnicking is encouraged.  In case of rain, concerts are held in the garden cottage.

Hamilton House is open for tours the day of the concerts with tours leaving from the garden cottage at 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm.  House tours are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children, and free to Historic New England members.  The price of the house tour is not included with concert admission.

Hamilton House is located on Vaughan’s Lane, adjacent to Vaughn Woods, a mile off Route 236 in South Berwick.  For more information Historic New England at (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

Coming up:
July 20: Omalley’s Alley.  Including bassist Tom Martin and drummer Gene Guth of the popular seacoast R& B band Rhythm Method and guitarist Justin Walton of Dreadnaught,  this ensemble will reach into each other’s repertoire to give material by artists such as Booker T & the MG’s and George Harrison their unique stamp.

July 27: International performer Randy Armstrong.  Hailed by the Boston Globe as a “sure-fingered guitar virtuoso”, guitarist/percussionist, Randy Armstrong, brings his jazz – world music to the garden.  An educator as well as a performer, Armstrong will entertain on a variety of instruments from around the world.  A show sure to please all ages.

Sometimes in the summer I stay away from the coast because I don’t want to fight the traffic, deal with parking, or be on the beach packed in like a sardine roasting in the sun.

Laudholm Farm at the Wells Reserve in Wells offers a wonderful alternative to all that.  It is an easy trip from South Berwick on Route 4 to Route 9 to Wells and then just a short jaunt up Route 1, there is plenty of parking, and then the real draw: a 2200 acre area with seven miles of hiking trails through woodlands, fields, wetlands, beach, and dunes with no crowds. You can walk through the open fields of this historic saltwater farm and take in the long views of the coast.  Walk through the marsh on boardwalks and watch and hear multitudes of birds or take the walk down to the beach which is likely to be sparsely populated by an assortment of swimmers, surf casters, beach walkers, and birdwatchers.

We headed over to Wells to meet up with some friends at Laudholm Farm one morning of the July 4 weekend.  It was sunny and hot at the top of the hill.  We took the beach walk through the fields where the smell of beach roses scented the air and the ripening blueberries attracted birds.  As we went through the marsh toward the beach we entered the mist that, when lit by the sun, accentuated the colors of the water and vegetation and brought a welcome coolness to the day.  We then walked the whole length of the beach from north to south, taking us from the calm and quiet of the Laudholm beach at the north, to the beach atmosphere at the breakwater at the entrance to Wells Harbor.

Laudholm Trust is a nonprofit organization formed to protect Laudholm Farm and to support research, education, and management activities at the Wells Reserve. The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve investigates coastal environments and enhances understanding of their ecology. Reserve facilities are located at Laudholm Farm and include the Maine Coastal Ecology Center.

Laudholm Farm trails are open every day, 7 am to sunset.  Trail maps are available at the entry kiosk.  Admission fees are in effect from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day. Fees are $1 for ages 6 to 16 and $3 for those over 16. Members of Laudholm Trust get free admission (except some special events) and program discounts.

Visitor Center and Maine Coastal Ecology Center Exhibits  are open Jan 16 to Dec 15: Mon-Fri, 10-4 and on the weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day: Mon-Fri, 10-4; Sat, 10-4; Sun, 12-4.   There are also an array of special events and programs  for nature lovers of all ages.  You can download a pdf version of their calendar.

After some leg work South Berwick police got their man….
Man who allegedly burglarized South Berwick golf course took taxi …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Andrew Gerrish, the second suspect in a May burglary at the Links at Outlook Golf Course, who police say escaped a …

The emerald ash borer is in Maine:
Little bug does big damage to trees in Maine
Foster’s Daily Democrat -
Trees at 12 coastal campgrounds will be sporting new purple accouterments this summer, but they’re not for show. …

You can give your child the gift of a second language right here in South Berwick:
Kindergarten en Francais: Classes will teach language to kids
Portsmouth Herald News
Nicole Gastonguay Ritchie and her daughters, Sophie, left, and Emmanuelle stand outside The Little Hat Company in South Berwick, Maine, where Ritchie will …

Eat you heart out Lassie, cats rule:
Cat alerts owner to condo fire
Portsmouth Herald
Clinton Hutchins and his neighbors had help from an Angel on Monday morning, when firefighters were able to confine a blaze at his Woodland Hills condominium to the closet where it started.

Choking cat alerts owner to fire at next-door neighbor’s condo in …
Foster’s Daily Democrat -
Tony Kenney’s cat clued him in to the fact that something wasn’t quite right next door on Monday morning. …

Good things happening in Rollinsford:
Local food, art and entertainment at Rollinsford market
Wire
It’s been a near sleepless summer for Laurie Adelmann as she gears up for the first ever Front Street Market event in Rollinsford. …

Figtree open for business
Wire
Chef Mike Shea pounced at the opportunity to start his own café in Rollinsford. The Kittery, Maine, resident graduated from the Atlantic Culinary Academy in …

Our neighbors in Eliot are forming a fuel buying cooperative to take the bite out of fuel prices:
Residents unite to fight oil costs
Portsmouth Herald News
As heating oil prices get tougher and tougher to handle, some residents are joining forces and taking action. …

A South Berwick company lands a new client:
WCSH-6 signs on with CreativeMind
CreativeMind Search Engine Marketing, a Maine-based search engine optimization company, announces the signing of its newest client, WCSH-6, the longest running television station in the Portland-Auburn, …

Great Works students have their day in the sun:
Students shine at solar car competition
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Several area students competed at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association Junior Solar Sprint Championship on …

The deer and moose are on the move:
Berwick officer safe after cruiser hits deer
Foster’s Daily Democrat
According to South Berwick police Lt. Christopher Burbank, Officer Brian Houde was driving along Route 9 near the intersection of Hurd Lane checking on a …

Reader Wendy Pirsig sent in a photo of a caterpillar that she researched and identified as an Anise Swallowtail caterpillar.

Shortly after I received Wendy’s image I went into my garden and found nearly a dozen of the same caterpillars happily munching on a rue plant in my garden.  Since they were very absorbed in chewing I was able to get a portrait of one eating a plant stem.

What have you seen today?

Each Saturday and, new this year, Tuesday afternoon, the York Farmers’ Market provides a way to buy from local food and craft producers.  The market is held every Saturday through October 11 from 9 AM to 1 PM and on Tuesdays from July 1 through September 9 from 2 PM to 6 PM  in the lot behind the York Chamber Visitor’s Center at its location on Route One in York across from the entrance to I-95.

You’ll find an assortment of food, baked goods, handmade products, organically grown produce and much more.  Go on Tuesdays and you’ll see two South Berwick residents.

Buddha’s Burning Buns, owned by South Berwick resident Jane Adams offers cookies, muffins, breads, granola & other assorted baked goods.  You can also find Jane’s products at Nature’s Way Market.

South Berwick resident Hope Murphy’s booth, fuZing!, showcases her unique fused glass jewelry.  These one of a kind pieces shimmer with color and pattern.

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Hot Summer Nights Concerts  are back for 2008
Thursdays  6:30-8:00 on the Lawn of Central School
Main Street, South Berwick, Maine
Rain Location:  Town Hall Auditorium (across the street) unless otherwise noted

July 10    Slaid Cleaves’ Band (Americana) This South Berwick native turned Texan, is an internationally known and respected songwriter and musician. Slaid’s new CD, Hard to Believe, is in production - come out and hear his much-anticipated, new songs!  Discover why reviewers have called him “one of the best singer/songwriters in the country”.
Opener:  James Gilmore
In case of rain, this concert will be held at the Marshwood High Auditorium!

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July 17    PB & J  (acoustic classic & modern covers)     The three part harmonies of Brad Martin, Joe Long, and Pat Long will have you singing along with favorite songs from CSNY to Grateful Dead, and Sister Hazel to Los Lonely Boys!  This trio appeals to all generations of music lovers!  Don’t miss these amazing acoustic musicians!
Openers:  Lisa Graichen & Meg Platte

See the rest of the schedule… (more…)

Monday, July 7
Economic Development Committee Workshop
6:00 PM - Auditorium Hall
The Economic Development Committee will meet in a workshop with Frank O’Hara from Planning Decisions. Also invited are the Town Council and Planning Board. The attendees will discuss lessons learned from previous Economic Development initiatives and work on a project to begin a dialog to identify what, if any, economic development activity will be acceptable to the residents.

Town Council Workshop
7:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office
The Town Council will meet in a workshop setting to discuss snow policies for fiscal year 2009 and to review a proposal for the search and selection of a permanent Town Manager.

Wednesday, July 9
Economic Development Committee
1:00 PM - Town Hall

Other announcements from Town Hall:

Library Aide Position
South Berwick Library is seeking a Library Aide for 20 hrs a wk. Excellent customer service & computer skills required. Library experience preferred. Strong interest in reading. Beginning pay $11.26 with sick, vacation, holiday & retirement. Apply at Town Hall or Library or send resumes to PO Box 35 South Berwick ME 03908, fax to 384-3303 or email mmaney@south-berwick.lib.me.us by July 18. See job description at www.southberwickmaine.org. EE0 M/F

Town of South Berwick Tax Club
The Town of South Berwick is pleased to announce the establishment of a Tax Club. The Tax Club is an eight (8) month plan, one payment per month, and due on the 15th of the month commencing September and ending in April. Payments are based on the committed taxes for the current tax year. Any tax payers with tax escrows or who have outstanding taxes will not qualify for this program. You may call (207) 384-3300 to have an application mailed to you or they can be picked up at the Town Hall or downloaded from the Town of South Berwick’s web site www.southberwickmaine.org. Applications must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by August 30. For more information, please call the Town Hall @ (207) 384-3300.

New Town Clerk’s Office Hours
Town Clerk’s Office (effective 07-07-08)
(Licensing & Registration)
Monday: 9am-4pm  Tuesday: 12pm-5pm
Closed Wednesdays
Thursday: 9am-6pm  Friday: 9am-3pm

Five teachers bidding farewell to SAD 35
Portsmouth Herald
Five educators in School Administrative District 35 turned in their chalk last month, retiring after many years of teaching in the system.

Eliot to adopt new source of tax revenue
York Weekly
Officials are moving quickly to create a new economic development tool for the town — a Tax Increment Finance District …

Kittery officials promised no cuts to school aid
York Weekly
At a meeting held in Augusta on Friday, Gov. John Baldacci assured Kittery School Department personnel that it will not …

Historic home saved in Dover
Fosters Daily Democrat
A more than 170-year-old home on Back Road has received a second lease on life with a sale geared toward historic restoration.  South Berwick resident, Tom Johnson…

The Sarah Orne Jewett House is all dressed up for Independence Day. Historic New England staff used photos from the 1936 Berwick Day Parade as inspiration.

Sarah Orne Jewett House is located at 5 Portland Street in South Berwick, Me. It is open June 1 through October 15, Friday through Sunday with tours at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.  Admission: $5, Historic New England members and South Berwick residents free.
For more information, contact  (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

Harvey Reid at Hamilton House on Sunday, July 6

Historic New England kicks off its Sundays in the Garden Concert Series at Hamilton House with a performance by Harvey Reid on July 6.  A  local favorite, Reid has garnered national recognition as one of the treasures of American acoustic music.  Reid’s music includes a range of influences from folk to rockabilly and a vast repertoire of traditional and contemporary songs, which he weaves seamlessly together with his own compositions and wry humor.

The gardens of the Hamilton House provide a picturesque setting for these relaxed late-afternoon concerts.  Pack your picnic basket and enjoy great music in a beautiful setting.

The concert begins at 4:00 p.m.  Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for Historic New England members and children, free for Historic New England Garden and Landscape Members.  Concert goers are welcome to bring their own chair or blanket and picnicking is encouraged.  In case of rain, concerts are held in the garden cottage.

Hamilton House is open for tours the day of the concerts with tours leaving from the garden cottage at 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pm.  House tours are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children, and free to Historic New England members.  The price of the house tour is not included with concert admission.

Hamilton House is located on Vaughan’s Lane, adjacent to Vaughn Woods, a mile off Route 236 in South Berwick.  For more information Historic New England at (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

a big froggy smile.