REMEMBRANCE

            “Gayle Verock, longtime teacher at Shapleigh Memorial School, colleague, and friend, died Monday, January 23, 2012.  Gayle had been coping with declining health for several years” said Mary Petersen.

            “Students, parents, and colleagues will well remember Mrs. Verock, particularly her unit of study about Japan.  In addition to the geography and culture, there was always the food, especially the vegetable rolls parents and students cooked as the smell wafted through the entire school, a lucky few getting ‘leftovers’.  Students greeted others with ‘konnichiwa’ acting the role of Japanese.”

            “In memory of Mrs. Verock, donations can be made to the Shapleigh  Community Day Scholarship to help a student further his/her education.  Perhaps one day he/she will continue Mrs. Verock’s educational legacy and teach in Shapleigh.”

            “‘Sayonara’, Mrs. Verock.  You will be missed.”

Memorial Donation address:  Shapleigh Community Day Committee; c/o Michelle Rumney, Treasurer; PO Box 26; Shapleigh ME 04076

TOWN CANDIDATES

            The only contest on the ballot for the annual municipal election to be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 from 9 am to 8 pm at the Shapleigh Town Hall is that for Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor.  Mark R. Cobb is challenging incumbent Charles L. Mullins. 

            Incumbents unopposed include Town Clerk/Tax Collector Joanne Rankin; School Director, RSU#57, Karla Bergeron; and Community Forest Trustee Michael Roux Sr.

            Carie L. Benvie is seeking to become a Trustee for the Shapleigh Community Library.

            There are two blanks on the ballot.  One is for a Budget Committee member to fill the vacancy created when Mark Cobb chose to run for Selectman instead.  The second blank is for someone to fill the other vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees.

            The terms of all positions are three years with the exception of the Budget Committee, which is for five years.  Although a person may feel that this term is too long to commit to, a member could resign if after a couple years they chose to do so.  The Budget Committee meets from November through early February once a week as a rule.  FMI contact Mark Cobb at 490-2961. 

            Absentee ballots are available in the Town Clerk’s Office.  Requests for a mailed ballot may be made by calling 636-2839 ext 413 or 415.

THREE RIVERS LAND TRUST

            Founded in 2000, the 3 Rivers Land Trust (3RLT) serves the towns of Acton, Alfred, Lebanon, Sanford/Springvale, and Shapleigh.  Covering an area of 215.4 miles, or about 137,856 acres, this area is the last region of York County to establish an organization that is committed to providing assistance to citizens interested in preserving their property and holding and maintaining easements forever.

            Its Mission is “To preserve and protect forever such valued natural resources as lakes, rivers, streams wetlands, agricultural lands, woodlands, historic sites, scenic places and wildlife habitat, in the inland municipalities of York County, Maine.”

            3RLT has successfully conserved over 1,800 acres which includes easements from 10 landowners.  Currently, there are several more easements in the works.

            The 3RLT has set a goal for increasing its membership from 100 members to over 250 by the end of 2012; ambitious, perhaps, but achievable with your help.  A larger membership shows community support which helps with acquiring grant funding and raising visibility throughout the region.  Additional financial support will eventually allow 3RLT to hire staff.  With paid staff 3RLT will be able to expand its work and conserve additional precious acres and unique landscape of our region for future generations.

FMI visit the web site www.3rlt.org or call (207) 324-3733.

MORE FACTS

            In recent years the Town of Shapleigh voted to place its Town Forest lands in a 3RLT easement in order to assure that into perpetuity those lands continue to preserve the character of the town, particularly in the lakes regions. 

            Several Shapleigh landowners have placed their acreage in the 3 Rivers Land Trust Easement program, guaranteeing that the land will never be developed.

            Other landowners have placed their properties in Current Use Tax Programs (Tree Growth and Open Space) which, although not enrolled in 3RLT easements, still have the effect of preserving the landscapes of a rural community such as Shapleigh.

            The Nature Conservancy has 877.13 classified acres in Open Space.  The 3RLT owns 75.3 acres of its own.

            Without all these protected acres Shapleigh could eventually lose its rural character and become like any other suburb.  Fortunately, for over 50 years Shapleigh has protected the future with the development of a Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, a Code Enforcement Officer, an active Planning Board and Zoning Board, a Residential Growth Ordinance, and a Building Code.  Previous community leaders are to be commended for their insight into protecting the future for those of us today.  How could we do any less for future generations to come?

RECYCLING REBATE

            Universal Recycling Technologies has sent a check in the amount of $85.26 to the Town of Shapleigh for materials which have been recycled by residents of the Town.

NEW BOOKS

            The Shapleigh Community Library now boasts a number of new books recently selected by Librarian Gene Smith for the reading pleasure of patrons of the library. 

Fiction:

            “Copper Beach,” by Jayne Krentz

            “The Spy Who Jumped off Screen,” by Tom Caplan

            “Taken,” by Robert Crais

            “Strangers on Montague Street,” by Karen White

            “Locked On,” by Tom lancy

            “Private,” by James Patterson

            “Red Mist,” by Patricia Cornwell

            “Down the Darkest Rod,” by Tami Hoag

            “Love in a Nutshell,” by Janet Evanovich

            “Gideon’s Corpse,” by Preston & Child

            “A Devil in Waiting,” by Jack Higgins

            “D. C. Dead,” by Stuart Woods

            “77 Shadow Street,” by Dean Koontz

            “Death Benefit,” by Robin Cook

            “Devil’s Gate,” by Clive Cussler

Non-Fiction:

            “Killing Lincoln,” by Bill Reilly

These books and all the other books, magazines, periodicals, DVD’s, and video tapes are available for loan from the Shapleigh Community Library during the winter months on Tuesdays 1-4 pm; Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.  FMI call 636-3630 during those hours.

FREE CLOTHING GIVE-AWAY

Anyone who is in need of a warm coat or other clothing should plan to come to the First Baptist Church at 600 Shapleigh Corner Rd.   A Free Clothing Give-Away will take place there on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 9 am to 1 pm in the Holdsworth Room.  FMI call Melissa at 205-3446. 

REMINDER

Don’t forget to come to the Acton/Shapleigh Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Acton Town Hall on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 8 am to 10 am.   Five dollars will get you an “all you can eat” breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, pancakes (either plain or blueberry), sausage, hot buttered toast, Maine baked beans, orange juice, coffee, milk (chocolate or white) or tea.  Proceeds of the sale benefit the Lions Charity Account which provides funds for many programs including the welfare of residents of Acton and Shapleigh.