By Cynthia Friend Probably the world’s oldest profession was “sky-watcher.” These were the ones who watched, remembered, and knew things. They could answer important questions like, “Is the sun ever coming back? When?” This was before there were numbers—before there was math! Until modern times, people have awaited the first sunrise that follows the longest… Read more
There are many ideas and options for making winter solstice lanterns. Here are a few of our favorites. Glue and Tissue Paper Lantern Click here for directions. Milk Carton and Papier Mache Lantern Click here for directions. Glass Jar and Tissue Paper Lantern Click here for directions. Paper Lantern Gather these materials: Thick watercolor paper…. Read more
The afternoon slipped away quietly as another Indian summer day drifted into memory. At the end of each day, soon after sunset, there comes a time when the light suddenly drops as if a switch flips from daylight to dusk. Leaning against an ancient black cherry tree, I enjoyed the solitude of the forest while… Read more
When Nancy and Charles Scholes lost their beloved second son, Jonathan, to a brutal cancer at age 33, he left them with more than broken hearts. He left them an outstanding example of a life well-lived, if far too short, and dedicated to helping those in need. He also left them a love of Harpswell… Read more
One of the hazards of watching the evening news while eating your dinner is that you may end up with indigestion. No, this is not a story about the recent elections – we all need a few months to recover from those. Rather I’m talking about those two-minute clips about disasters and tragedies that occur… Read more
“Just one word. Plastics.” So said neighbor Mr. McGuire with great conviction. But young Benjamin Braddock was far more interested in the career advice from Mr. Robinson, another neighbor, to “…sow a few wild oats” particularly with Mrs. Robinson in the classic 1967 movie “The Graduate.” Since 1967 the world has certainly embraced the use… Read more
Using their backyards as laboratories, participants in the Signs of the Seasons program help scientists document the local effects of global climate change. Hundreds are trained to observe and record the phenology (seasonal changes) of common plants and animals living in their own communities — a citizen science project that fills a gap in regional… Read more
Harpswell is blessed with a wealth of beautiful, iconic, natural vistas. Consider the seascape off Basin Point, the fishing harbor at Mackerel Cove, or Long Reach as seen from the high ledges of the Cliff Trail. So, it’s appropriate that the view from the Town Office on Mountain Road looking south to the mouth of… Read more
As I have researched the property that Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (HHLT) is working to preserve, two questions have niggled at me. The first is, “Why is this tidal creek named Strawberry Creek?” Like with Mill Cove or Widgeon Cove, can we simply assume the obvious — that the creek was known for wild strawberries?… Read more
If you are 50 or older, you surely remember a wonderful little song from 1976 about two lovers named Susie and Sam. According to the song, they courted by candlelight, doing the shimmy, whirling a tango and jingling a jangle. The song “Muskrat Love” was recorded by Captain and Tennille and reached number two on… Read more