This Months Thoughts

It has been awhile since my last time at the computer. The Holidays have come and gone. The new year has started, filled with hope and promise.

Perhaps the most overlooked thing happening in our community in recent memory will actually take place this weekend when Megan Beals will compete for the title of Miss America. It really has sort of flown under the radar locally. There have been some stories in The Pioneer; but this once in my lifetime event has really gone virtually unnoticed. Good Luck Megan! We are proud of you !

Over in Woodstock the new Wal Mart opened today. I have to wonder how much it will hurt the cross border shopping now It is a much larger Wal Mart than the one in Houlton. Also across the border, there are some concerns about the Worlds Largest Covered Bridge in Hartland. The water levels of the mighty St. John River are at an all time high. Ice will be a major concern for the next few weeks.

North of us in Presque Isle, they are preparing to host the World Jr. Biathalon at the end of the month. What an outstanding chance to showcase THE COUNTY to the World.The media will come from all over to cover this event.

With the recent ice storms, I'm sure I was not the only one glad to see the Town use sand instead of salt on the roads. Salt has not been kind to my vechicle in past winters.

High School basketball is in full swing in the area. The girls team from the Christian school remain one of the last undefeated teams in the area. Good Luck the rest of the way. On the other end of the spectrum, the Houlton boys, State Champs just two seasons ago, have fallen on hard times. They have won just two games and their coach was recently suspended a game for his conduct. Here's to better days for the Shires.

Did you happen to either attend or watch the recent Town Concil Meeting? Budget issues were the topic. Hard decisions have to be made. Sometimes they are not popular. I was glad to see some common sense prevail with the Recreation Budget. What a mistake it would have been to cut the two maintence men. Council was not as kind to the local Chamber, instead cutting their budget even more, and suggesting that the person in charge lacked direction and had not really done all that great of a job. I'm sensing a change in this office in the very near future.

Just a few more weeks until Moosestompers Weekend!

Until next time, That's The View From My Couch.