Shapleigh column for July 1, 2010 

            The tradition of presenting the Boston Post Cane to the oldest living resident of a community is alive and well in Shapleigh, Maine.

            Originally begun in the early 1900’s, the Boston Post newspaper for publicity purposes distributed canes made of Ebony wood from Africa and topped with a head of real gold  with identifying etching on them.  Many New England towns were recipients of the canes and were in the habit of presenting them to the oldest male in town.  At the demise of the cane holder, the cane was returned to the Town to continue on its long journey to the current oldest male.  After a number of years some communities began to include females in the eligible category.

            There have been a number of Boston Post canes that have disappeared over the years as families taking care of assets after a deceased family member’s departure did not recognize the significance of the cane or the fact that it was supposed to be returned to the Town.  There were instances where the cane had been destroyed in a house fire.  In some cases the canes merely became lost for years.

            Shapleigh has retired the original Boston Post Cane and it is kept at the Town Hall in a custom case made by Mel Brackett, a skilled woodworker.  In fact, Mel made the replica of the original Boston Post Cane which the Town now presents to octogenarians plus. 

            Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the Shapleigh Town Hall a fabulous ceremony took place which culminated with the presentation of the Boston Post Cane to Bernadine Dunnells.  Bernadine had been born on January 12, 1913 in the village of Chickapee in Buxton, Maine.  An only child, there as no opportunity for sibling rivalry but she grew into adulthood, married, and bore nine children, two of which were stillborn.  The others were Norma, Edith, Fred, Francis, Joy, Teddy and Clifton.

            Bernadine raised her family at home but also worked at the Lovejoy Orchards hauling ladders around and picking apples in the 1940’s & 1950’s.  When Sprague opened up in Sanford, Bernadine went to work there in 1966 and remained three years until she was retirement age.

            Asked what her interests were, Bernadine responded “crocheting and doing puzzles.”  These are not the jigsaw puzzles but the kind in books similar to “find-a-word” etc.  Whatever her interests, Bernadine appears to be a truly remarkable woman for her age of 97, she is bright, full of energy and spirit, and can banter with the best of them.  Bernadine divides her time among her children, spending he summers with her son Fred here in Shapleigh and winters in Florida, partly with her daughter Norma and the remaining time with her daughter Joy. 

            On behalf of the Town, Michael S. Perro, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, presented Bernadine Dunnells with a bouquet of beautiful pastel flowers as a well as a framed certificate commemorating the occasion.  Selectman Charles L. Mullins and Selectman Ruth S. Ham also offered their congratulations to this dear recipient.  Photos were taken in order to place some on the Town website www.shapleigh.net

Surrounded by friends and family, Norma Evans, Fred Webber, and Joy Clark, Kimberly Clark, Dana and Debbie Petersen, Pat Dunn, Rodney Johnson, and Helen Timmons, Bernadine Dunnells was a delightful guest of honor at the occasion of the Boston Post Cane presentation. 

TRANSFER STATION CLOSED

            Fourth of July falls on a Sunday this year which will result in the Transfer Station being CLOSED.  Notices stating that have already been posted at the facility but this is to provide additional information.  The transfer station will be open on Saturday, July 3 from 8 am till 4 pm; Tuesday, July 6; Thursday July 8.  This notice refers to only the Sunday July 4 closure.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

            The Town Clerk/Tax Collector and Code Enforcement Officer will NOT be open on Saturday, July 3 in the morning because of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.  Please try to plan ahead to conduct whatever business necessary at the Town Hall on Friday, July 2 from 9 am to 4 pm.  For persons wishing to register boats, please be advised that it is possible to go to the State of Maine website and register online.

CEO ACTIVITY

Permits issued by Code Enforcement Officer Steve McDonough over the past several weeks include the following:

• Lee-Ann Cole, Back Road, to build a 10x16 shed
• Robert Ferrera, Oak Hill Road, to place a 32 sq.ft free standing sign for mower racing, max of 3 free standing signs on lot
• Timothy Clancey, Garland Rd., build a 14x24 detached garage
• Tracy Bliss, Green Ghost Rd., build 16x18 wrap-around deck
• Carroll Doucette, Back Road, re-frame and replace 6 windows
• Ellen Glynn, Town Farm Rd., bring in up to 150 yards of fill
• Stephen Chessie, Back Road, build a 24x16 shed for storage
• Thomas Weymouth, North Shore Rd, build an 8x12 deck on rear of house, free standing and independent of house
• Garry Shattuck, Shapleigh Corner Rd., build an 18 ft wide shed dormer on existing house
• William Penney, Jib Way, add second floor on half of existing dwelling, using all of 30% sq.ft. expansion allowance for within the 100 ft. shoreland setback
• Andrew Deluski, Dogwood Rd., replace existing deck, expand walkway, per plan submitted

The declared value of these proposed improvements amounts to $104,000.

            A certificate of occupancy was issued to Melissa Rizzo for a new 3 bedroom single family dwelling on Whitetail Lane in the Evergreen Overlook Subdivision off Route 11 just past 21sst Street.  This is the second residence in this subdivision. 

            A certificate of occupancy was also issued for Jennifer Quinton for a two bedroom single family dwelling on Ross Corner Road. 

PUBLIC WORKS

            Southern Road Commissioner Richard Goodwin Sr. has been prepping the Knox Road  for paving.  It is anticipated that the road will be paved by F. R. Carroll Co. shortly

Goodwin has also been dealing with a large culvert that was undermined during one or more of the torrential rains we have experienced in the recent past..  The pavement has been cut out and the culvert will be reset in an attempt to prevent this recurring.

PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGE

            The Board of Selectmen along with the road commissioners has decided to come up with language which would allow for the height of 40’ for certain buildings in order that requirements for proposed zoning amendments can get underway.  The plan is for the proposed zoning ordinance changes to be presented to the legislative body of voters as a referendum article during the November 2010 gubernatorial election.  Without the approval of this proposed change, it would not be possible to construct the salt/sand storage facility on the Public Works Parcel that would be necessary for an efficient operation for the winter maintenance of roads within Shapleigh.  Changing the existing plans to meet the current height restrictions would undermine the ability of the road commissioners to complete their tasks in only a portion of the time it would take with a lower building.  To downgrade and construct a less efficient facility which would be far more costly to operate than one that could operate at peak efficiency is certainly not the best use of public funds.  .

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

            Mary Petersen has applied to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a 55 foot variance from the restriction that no private campsite may be placed within 100 feet, horizontal distance, of the normal high water mark of a Great Pond classified GPA.  Mousam Lake is considered to be such a body of water. 

The Zoning Ordinance Article VI:  Performance Standards for Specific Activities; Section 105-38; Individual private campsites not associated with campgrounds:  B. Campsite placement on any lot; are the sections which are pertinent to this situation.

SOCCER SIGNUPS

            Parents with children who wish to enroll in the Shapleigh Recreation Soccer Program have two opportunities to do so.  One is on Monday, June 28 at the Shapleigh Town Hall from 5 pm to 8 pm and again on Monday, July 19 at the same location and during the same hours.  FMI call Deb Cadigan at 636-2555.

MMMMM !  SMELL THAT SAUSAGE COOKING…

            ….as the Acton/Shapleigh Lions Club prepares an “all you can eat” breakfast for YOU on Saturday July 3, 2010 at the Acton Town Hall from 8 am to 10 am.  The complete menu includes delicious pancakes, scrambled eggs, zesty sausages, Maine baked beans, hot buttered toast, orange juice, milk (chocolate & white), and coffee served up with plenty of good conversation and conviviality.  All this food for only $5 each.  Funds raised from the Pancake Breakfasts go toward the charity fund to benefit residents of Acton and Shapleigh who are in need of eyeglasses, fuel oil, tuition, or other help.

NEW ROOF

            The firm of D. G. Walls & Son of Waterboro has been working to strip and install new architectural grade roofing on the Shapleigh Town Hall over the past week.  Quite some years ago the roof had sustained damage when the ancient weathervane became dislodged during a heavy windstorm and plummeted to the parking lot after having first struck the roof.  Although the affected area of the roof was repaired, over time it began to leak creating a problem for the embossed metal ceilings in the upstairs meeting hall and the wooden floors.  Bids were requested by the Board of Selectmen with the award having been made to Walls for $11,000.  Once approved by the legislative body of voters, the project was a go.

CHURCH NEWS

            The Ross Corner Freewill Baptist Church at the intersection of the West Road, Newfield Rd., Gore Rd., and the Ross Corner Road in Shapleigh has been buzzing with activity.  David Dickinson is the pastor of this energetic congregation. 

            The schedule goes something like this:

Sundays:

            Adult Bible Study at 9:30 am

            Sunday School at 9:30 am

Morning Worship Service at 10:30 am

Wednesday:

            Prayer Meeting at 7 pm

Thursday

            Pre Worship Team Practice at 7 pm

Monday through Friday, August 9 to August 13 is Vacation Bible School (VBS) nightly from 6 pm to 8 pm, preschool to 6^th grade children

Every third Saturday at 5 pm there is a Potluck Supper followed by entertainment.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  Just bring along your favorite dish to share with others and enjoy some fine eating and fellowship.

Every other Friday night at 7 pm an Acoustic Jamboree is held at the Cockpit Café, in front of Sanford Airport.  Friday, July 9 will be the next Acoustic Jamboree held there.  A lot of gospel is played and a great deal of oldies and folk music is performed.  Anyone with a stringed instrument is welcome to participate at any age or skill level.  Free refreshments are served..  It is a great deal of fun for all but mostly the over 50 crowd carries the ball.

SHAPLEIGH CORNER BAPTIST CHURCH

            Morning worship services now commence at 9:30 am.  Interim Pastor Robert Hinckley delivers the morning message.  There is plenty of lively praise singing as well as the good old-fashioned hymns.  Come and share your faith with others.