Sun, 02/18/2024 - 2:45pm

Ed O’Brien

The garden and the chicken house await Spring. (Photo by Tracee O’Brien)

The Cast of the Upcoming Show at LCS, The Little Mermaid, Jr. Pictured (L to R) 1st row: Cara Fields, Maya Graham, Eva Hurley, Aria Anderson, Evie Kramer, Vivienne Acciavatti 2nd row: Saylor Rolerson, Andy O’Brien, Quinnie Watts, Sydney Trull, Katalina Kriste, Maggie Feeney, Sylvia Talty, Clara Harbaugh, Pepper Kelley, Paisley Stringer 3rd Row: Oren Hurley, Anderson Janaitis, Lucy Morgenstern, Isabel Pickford, Mac Joseph, Ophelia Larsen, Emma Killough, Daniel Hafford, Alli Moody, Lyllian Whitehill Back row: Brecken Geisler, Lilah Snow, Violet Prime, Anaëlle Dodge, Ray Beach Not pictured: Abby Howland, Piper Brenton, Pearl Yetman, Devon Skrivanich, Jacob Curtis, Colette Nowak, Emmy Neault, Indra O’Donnell, and Hazel Yandell (photo courtesy of Susan Iltis)

The garden and the chicken house await Spring. (Photo by Tracee O’Brien)

It is seven degrees as I sit down to write this on a Sunday Morning — cold, sure, and sort of a rarity in recent winters. Thanks to a couple inches the other day, and a brief squall yesterday, which turned Sleepy Hollow into a snow globe, the ground is at least the appropriate color for mid-February: white.

And while winter may not be as “winter” as it used to, it is still February in Maine. And as Mainers and all denizens of the Northern climes must do at this time of year, we look to the returning sun, and dream of spring. Ma and Tracee placed their seed orders through Fedco long ago, and seedlings have been started downstairs in the indoor greenhouse. It is now time to peruse the Murray McMurray catalog.

McMurray Hatchery has been providing live baby chicks and other poultry for over a century, little peepers sent by mail. It is a spring ritual to await that phone call from the Beach Postmaster, early in the morning, announcing that a chirping box has arrived, and please come pick it up ASAP.

Fragile little bundles of fluff that they are, they are transitioned to a cage with a heat lamp. As they grow, shedding the soft down for feathers, as they eat their fill of chick feed. Those destined for the freezer will grow at an alarming rate, while the various heritage breeds who will be layers are a bit more modest in their growth. They will initially be segregated until they are big and strong enough to compete with the current flock of more seasoned ladies.

Chicken ranching has become more and more popular – they are relatively easy to keep, and in spite of my objection to referring to them as pets, they can be very sweet little dinosaurs. As long as you recognize that they would eat you if only they could you fit into their beaks. They are like cats this way. And the reward- fresh eggs- can’t be beat. When was the last time you got that kind of benefit from your cat?

So, yes, the McMurray order is being planned, the garden is being planned, Spring is being planned. It is still a ways off, and I will always advocate for allowing yourself to be present in the moment, but it is okay to dream a little about warm breezes and the smell of freshly turned dirt.

I just hope Tracee wasn’t serious about getting geese. Nasty, feathered snakes that would like nothing more than to nip my ankles.

LCS Spring Musical

From LCS Music teacher Susan Iltis: “Rehearsals are well underway (and “under the sea”!) for the Spring musical. Mark your calendars now to come see the LCS production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. on Thursday March 21, Friday March 22 and Saturday March 23, 2024. The 60-minute musical, designed for middle-school aged performers, is based on the 2008 Broadway production and the 1989 animated feature film. The cast contains 40 students, in grades 5 - 8, led by Kim Murphy and Susan Iltis, with behind-the-scenes assistance from many parents and students.

This classic Disney title contains all of the songs (music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater) from the Academy Award® winning animated feature film as well as three new songs from the Broadway show.”

The Lincolnville Musical is always a wonderful production, and a major feeder of talent into Camden Hills Regional High School’s renowned musical theater program. Under the direction of Ms Iltis, and now Ms. Murphy- long time director of the CHRHS musicals- I have found the productions to be well beyond what would be expected from such young actors.

Pickle Ball

What better way to prepare for warmer weather than to learn Pickle Ball? Lincolnville Community Indoor Pickleball will be at the LCS Gym this Tuesday, February 20 with open play from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45, with introduction and beginners open play from 9:30 to 10:30. Paddles will be available. It really is a fun little game, and I need to get back to play again.

It’s February Break, and the kids are home for the week. Hopefully we can convince our little adolescent angels to spend as much time as possible at the Snow Bowl, off screens and out of the house. So best to all of you with children, and I hope the school staff enjoys a well deserved break.

Plan those gardens, those hikes, that time sitting in warm breezes, and in the meantime, be in the moment you are in, breathe, and be kind. Have a great week Lincolnville, and reach out at ceobrien246@gmail.com

CALENDAR

Monday, February 19

President’s Day, Town Office closed

Tuesday, February 20

Library open 3-6 p.m. 208 Main Street

AA Meeting 12 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road

Wednesday, February 21

Library open 2-5 p.m.

Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, 6:30 p.m., Town Office

Thursday, February 22

Budget Committee, 6 p.m., Town Office

Friday, February 23