Dedication

The Steep Falls Village Improvement Society held a ceremony Sunday to dedicate the new gazebo in the center of the Steep Falls Memorial Park.

More than 100 people from Steep Falls and Standish attended the ceremony and were treated to Scottish bagpipes, a band, and treats baked by local residents.

“It was a quite a showing,” said Standish Town Manager Gordon Billington. “It was a great day where neighbors came together and just enjoyed each other’s company.”

Billington cut the ribbon on the gazebo and spoke about the importance of Steep Falls as part of the state scenic by way. He also acknowledged the Improvement Society, and the many volunteers that made the gazebo project possible, including Mary Lynn and Jimmy Hulit, the originators of the gazebo idea.

“This never would have come to pass without Mary and Jimmy,” said Billington. “They were an essential part of making this dream come true.”

Steep Falls Village Improvement Society President Ellen Walker agreed.

“This is something they (Mary and Jimmy) wanted for a long time,” said Walker. “It was something all of us in town wanted. It was always just an idea that would come and go but nothing ever came of it until recently.”

Last year that idea was brought up in a village improvement meeting and it seemed it may be possible to make the dream a reality.

“We called Jimmy and Mary and asked them to come to our meeting,” said Walker. “Once we started talking about it, it sort of became like a snowball, it just kept rolling and gathering speed, and it seemed like everyone wanted to help make this possible.”

The Hulits did all the research collecting pictures of gazebos that might be viable for the park and presenting them to the society and the Standish Town Council, who donated the money for the gazebo from the town’s appropriations account, when the grant the society was hoping for fell through.

“We were happy to give the money,” said Billington. “The gazebo adds a lot to the town and the scenic byway.”

The Hulits along with other volunteers also built the gazebo.

“My wife and I worked on it,” said Hulit. “But other people also helped. People would help for the day or just a few hours. We are pretty happy with how it turned out.”

Next year the society plans to have gatherings at the gazebo with bands and entertainment.

“That’s what our hope is,” said Jimmy Hulit. “That the gazebo will bring people in.”

Walker believes it will do just that.

“It was always a dream,” said Walker. “But now we have our gazebo for people to come to and enjoy.”

Already?

The Standish Sno-Seekers will begin its new fall and winter season at the first general club meeting Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Steep Falls Fire Barn on Boundary Road.

The meeting begins with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by the general business meeting at 7:15 p.m. where year’s events and schedule will be planned.

Subsequent monthly meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Fire Barn. Club officers are Jim Durgin, president (892-1635); Matt Clark, vice president (642-8319); Brenda Walker, treasurer (642-2083); and Daphne Lindell, secretary and publicity (655-2911).

The Sno-Seekers look forward to a busy and exciting season. Some of the activities include the Landowner’s Appreciation Dinner in November; the annual Christmas Party and Yankee Swap in December; and the annual Winterfest in February.

Dedicated members will continue to oversee and maintain the 62 miles of the Standish Trail System. Volunteers are always needed in these areas. Visit www.standishsnoseekers.com for all updated club activity information.

Veterans breakfast

On Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday Oct. 5, the Standish American Legion Post 128 is hosting a benefit breakfast for area veterans. The breakfast is being held at The Inlet restaurant on Route 113.

Also proceeds will go into the American Legion treasury and will be dispersed to veteran’s programs sponsored by the Legion.

A full breakfast menu will be served from 7-11 a.m. on both days. For a complete menu and pricing, please visit http://post128.org/Fundraising.aspx.

The Scene

Friday

The Bonny Eagle varsity football Scots will take the field at 7 p.m. against the Westbrook Blue Blazes for the homecoming game.

Face Down will perform at Memory Lane Music Hall. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Saturday

Farmers Market in the Steep Falls Park on Route 113, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Flowers, veggies, baked goods crafts and more.

The Steel Rail Express will perform at Memory Lane Music Hall. Doors open at 4 p.m.

Heidi’s Take

Go Local

Well, it seems our government has screwed up. I know shocking. Without getting into a full political discussion, I will just say simply, we’re in trouble. Some experts say we are on the verge of a major depression, some experts say we have nothing to worry about.

Either way, things don’t look so good. Fuel has risen considerably, oil, gas, pellets, wood; any form of heat seems to be on the rise these days. Man I wish I had stock in one of those companies, but since I don’t, I want to put stock in my neighbors. No, not the neighbor that target shoots every day, although I’m going to him in an emergency, or the neighbor that mows his lawn at midnight, I am talking about the members of my community.

It’s time to support each other and buy local. I know, I know, when did I get all live off the land, hippie dippy? Now don’t start picturing me at home listening to Bob Dylan and Joan Baez, I’m just trying to make a point.

These huge companies are getting wealthier and greedier, while the middle class are buying scooters and riding bikes to work to save money to pay for heat. Starbucks is closing over 600 stores in the next year because as it turns out, $4 coffees are just a little bit frivolous in this economy.

Now, I don’t have a solution to this crisis, although I do have several ideas that involve eliminating unnecessary construction and rotaries, but it seems to me that the more we help out the little guy, the less power the big guy has over us. After all, would you rather give your money to Edward Liddy, or your daughter’s, best friend’s mom and pop?

Edward who? Exactly.

So I’m challenging you, my faithful readers, go local this week. Below is a list of places you can buy local goods from local people. Feel good about paying less for coffee and helping your neighbors, and remember, the times, they are a-changin’.

1. Sweet Measures of Maine on Route 25, serving local coffee, baked goods and ice cream, all made in Maine.

2. Rippling Waters Organic Farm on River Road features locally grown vegetables and plants.

3. The Steep Falls Farmers Market offers local honey, jam, jelly and meats.

4. Randall’s Apple Orchard, self explanatory. It also carries cider and home grown pumpkins.

Inside Standish