Black Friday

Well Black Friday has come and gone and we have survived. I guess I don't see the need to get up in the middle of the night then go stand in line, just for the CHANCE, that the item that I may want, will even be available. It's crazy to see people going into Wal Mart at Mid night for a chance to buy something that goes on sale 5 hours later. The worst part, is that they usually only have a small number of the sale items in the store anyway.

Now I actually don't mind going to the stores, to see who I might bump into by chance. It's always fun to see someone who is home for the holidays.

I'm getting older now, so you won't find me sitting in the parking lot of a big box store 4 hours BEFORE the door opens, to get some stripped down computer, with no gaurentee at a big savings. Trust me, over the life of that machine, you won't save a dime!

Give me my coffee and remote. I'll go shopping on some lazy Tuesday.

That's The View From My Couch!

Emotional Evening

Tonight, many of our friends and neighbors paid their respects to 1st Lt. James Zimmerman.He began his journey home earlier in the afternoon from Bangor. The shiney black hearse, with two American flags adourning the front fenders, was followed by a small motorcade. As they drove home, the line of traffic behind them grew. Upon reaching Island Falls, it seemed like everyone either joined in or stopped and paid their respects as they drove past. From that point on, it seemed like every road, every parking lot and many driveways, there were people.

After the drive through Dyer Brook and his home town of Smyrna, they got back on 1-95 with now close to 200 cars behind them. When they arrived at Houlton, it seemed like a great deal of the town were lining the streets. Even in the rain, there were over 1000 people outside standing, and that doesn't even begin to count those who watched in cars , stores, and homes.

Friends, Classmates, Neighbors, Servicemen and many people who may never have met Lt Zimmerman watched with mixed emotions. Many tears were shed and many prayers were said. But there was also a great sense of Community Pride. The turnout was fantastic.

We got to honor one of our own sons this evening with an outpouring of love and respect not often seen.

Lt. Zimmerman gave the Ultimate Sacrifice and tonight thousands of people took a minute to say THANK YOU JAMES!!

Tonight, I am proud to live in Southern Aroostook County and it is fine young men like James who make this the great place to live that it is.

That's The View From My Couch

Winds Of Change

On this breezy Fall evening, I can see many changes in our local area, some big, some not so big.

A quick drive through Market Square and you will notice Beals Variety has moved onto the old Netherland Office Supply Store and they are now also selling some furniture.

The fall Breeze also means the end of another season from Zippy's and the Houlton Farms Dairy Bar; two places I frequent in the warm summer. It also means another summer of boating fun is almost over; but on the plus side, we'll be using the camp during hunting season in the coming weeks.

It is kind of sad to see North Country Auto close it's Houlton Store. Although it is sure to benefit Yorks and Clarks.

The Houlton boys soccer team is rolling with a 9-1 record. The Golf Team is Eastern Maine Champs and playing in the State Match this weekend. The Houlton Knights Football team looks well on their way to another undefeated season. With all of the Fall success of our athletes, I wonder why the basketball team, arguablly the most popular sport, is so weak????

Speaking of change, it's almost time to change my tires before the snow flies. It won't be long.

That's the view from my couch this evening.

Paul LePage. Do you want him as your next Govenor?

I recently heard on the news that Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage said that if he were governor when President Barack Obama vacationed in our state this past summer, that he would have told him to “get out of my state.”

I feel this type of disrespect borders on hatred and bigotry. There are four other candidates running for our state’s highest office this November.

I urge all Mainers to think seriously before casting their vote on Nov. 2. Maine can do better.

UPDATE: More recently LePage was seen all over the news saying he would Tell Obama to "Go to Hell"......Whether you agree or disagree with Obama; he is still the President of the and the Head of OUR State, whether he likes him or not, should in my opinion, have a little more Class than that.

Churches in Houlton Area

This week while driving along Court Street, if you happened to glance at the Court St Baptist Church, you would have noticed a man putting new shingles on the church steeple. As one who is very content to stay on the ground, I have to admire a person who works from great heights.

The second day that I saw this man working, I started thinking about just how many churches that there are in Houlton. By my count, I can come up with 17. In no particular order, we have St Mary's Catholic Church, Military St Baptist, Court St Baptist, Shiretown Baptist, The Methodist Church, The Unitarian Church, The Congregational Church,and the Penecostial Church on Main St as well as the Houlton Full Gospel Assembly on the Calais Road. There is the Episcopal Church, The Salvation Army, The Church of Christ on Main Street and one located on the Hovey Road. Do not forget the Kingdom Hall for Jehovah's Witnessess. There is also the Church of the Latter Day Saints on the corner of Pleasant and Highland Avenue There is the small church ( Sowing His Seed?, I think is the name) located on Court Street near Jerrys Barber Shop and the Wesleyan Church on Kelleran Street.

There are many choices for a family or an individual to worship in Houlton.

That seems to be a lot of churches for an area so small. I often wonder why we need three Baptist Churches within a mile of each other? Don't get me wrong, I am all for moral values and family values- but I am also a person who has a slight grasp on economics. It just seems like ther has to be a huge amount of money put into each of these churches for upkeep, heating, electric bills and salaries. Many times a lot of these churches have smaller attendences than they had in former years,and it seems that the congrgations could be better served (at least money wise) if a few of them combined.

I understand traditions and personal preferences- but what I'm talking about is not new to Houlton. In recent years the big yellow church onthe end of HighStreet has closed and I believe Stepping Stones has made great use of the building. The Church of the Nazerene on Bangor Street closed and is now the home of Sport Vechicles.

As I watched the man shingle Court Street church, I could see the pride he took in his work and it will help preserve the Steeple for years to come.

That church, along with many others in our town, would welcome you and your family with open arms. many area churches have open seats and would be glad if you attended one of their services.

Perhaps I'll see you there?

That's the View From My Couch.

Summer with the Kids

This has been a hectic summer. The kids are getting to the point where they are no longer happy going to Just For Kids at the park. It seems like they always want to go to the lake or go to camp. Now I am not that unlike a lot of my friends, in that I don't actually mind going to camp. There is nothing quite like a moonlight boatride around the lake, followed by a nice campfire. The problem is that I still have to get up and go to work in the morning while everyone else can remain behind.
Still nothing can compare to the laughter you hear, the smells o fthe grill, and even the sunburns that you get. Memories for a lifetime!

This summer we were able to take a short vacation to Acadia State Park, and thank goodness it was not the week that the President was there. We enjoyed the vacation, even though it was short. The views from Cadillac Mountain are beyond compare.

We took in the Houlton Fair on the 4th of July following the parade, in what has become a family tradition. I will say that this year, they put on a very good fireworks display. I can't imagine that anyone was dissappointed in that.

Summer is flying by too quick - but at least we've been able to go out the Bangor Road this year on our way to the lake without a long detour, so we're not complaining!

Fast Food choices

Hot weather has FINALLY arrived and it's too hot to cook at home, so you elect to go through a drive thru window. That means your choices in Houlton are McDonalds, Burger King, KFC or Tim Hortons. I have been to each of them multiple times. Here are my experiences;

Personally, I like to go to Tim Hortons for a quick sandwich and a soda.But just ONE TIME, I'd like the person on the other end to LISTEN to me while I try and place an order without interrupting me.

Example:
I'd like a regular egg salad sandwich on wheat a medium DIET coke
Excuse me sir, would you like a combo?
No
Would you like that toasted
No
I have a regualr egg salad sandwich on wheat would you like a drink?
I asked for a MEDIUM DIET coke..and could I please have a small assorted box of Tim Bits?
OK, I have a reg Egg Salad on White
WHEAT
Yes on Wheat, a medium coke
DIET COKE
and small box of Tim bits
Please pull around and I'll give you your total

By this time, I would have been through BOTH windows at McDonalds...That is my peeve with Tim Hortons

KFC is even more frustrating to go to.You NEVER get exactly what you order...NEVER..They always forget something, It might be the drink, it might be the napkin, it might be the silverwear, it might be the biscuit--but they mess it up 8 times out of ten. KFC has by far the most outragous workers on their windows too.Tattoos, purple or pink hair, more piercings than any two people should have and usually all this is on one person. They actually scare off a lot of older people. But as long as they put an order through the window they are happy, so they can get back outside to their smokes.

BK has too small a crew working. usually only 4 people. But on the plus side they are the same four and they are actually pretty good. The whole store though, gives off an appearance of being dirty. You can see stuff all over the floor and the tables never seem to be clean. They really need to have more people on during rush hours

McDonalds is my least favorite- but I can't really find too much to complain about. They are quick,your order is right 99% of the time and they are CLEAN. At times they are over staffed They are the most friendly to the customer of the four drive thrus..I guess my complaint would be the long lines- but they do move fairly fast, and would move even faster if they quit asking you if you want two apple pies with that...hahaha

I wish Subway had a drive thu.......

Still lots of other good places too if you aren't in a hurry..Zippy's Hot Dog Stand is now open,and so is Houlton Farms Dairy Bar. Reggie will have your order waiting at Dows if you call ahead and he has daily specials too. People forget about Emily's Quick Stop- but they cook a wide variety of stuff at their deli too
.

Bridge Repair

The much needed bridge repair to the North Street bridge started on Wed morning. It truly stinks to mess up traffic heading into our busiest months; but the work is sorely needed. I guess we'll deal with it and use the Highland Ave bridge a lot more this summer.

I wonder if the Town has thought about a TEMPORARY Traffic Light at the Highland Avenue, Water Street, Pleasant Street, and Mechanic Street intersection?? There are times during the day when it probabaly will be needed inthe coming months. Just a thought.........That's the View From My Couch tonight

Trade Show

I attended the Southern Aroostook Trade Show earlier today and felt somewhat disappointed. The show seemed much smaller this year. It seemed that the lawn and garden section of the Show took up almost 50% of the floor space and the Campers took up another 25%, leaving very little space to the others.

I slowly went around, stopping at each booth, signing up for prizes, contributing to raffles and enjoying some good conversation. The vendors who were there, were very friendly for th emost part, and the few who weren't, were probably just over tired from all the hours on the cement floor.

It takes a lot of work, to put on a show like this, but it does seem like some changes need to be made to get more people in there. I have a few suggestions.

Limit the amount of space any vendor can have, until one week before the show. Give others a chance to come in.

Encourage more organizations to be there. I saw Project Graduation booths from Houlton and Hodgdon. What about GHCA and SACHS? I would have liked to see the Little League have a booth, as they are still working ontheir fields. Soap Box Derby isn't too far away, They easily could have had a booth. I saw a girls scout cookie booth. Doesn't this area have Cub Scouts and /or Boy Scouts too? How about the HPD to promote thier Citizen's Academy? How about the HFD to promote smoke detectors? How about the Mud Pullers? Kids would love to get in a big truck and people would be more likly to come to one of their mud runs . The possibilities are endless.

With the big ticket items in there, I was surprised that no bank was there to offer financing packages. No insurance Companies either. Houlton has lots of each of them.

Amazed that with Springs arrival, that no florist or greenhouse had plants and garden supplies in there.

I would like to see some food vendors sit up in there also. The Civic Centre kitchen staff are painfully slow and have a very limited selection. You could have driven up to the North Road and drove back before your order was ready. This needs to be addressed.

I would like to see more local talent preform on the stage area. Even no Tim the Tuneman this year. Houlton has so many talented young singers and musicians (although a lot were busy this weekend at the High School)

Even Clowns walking around and helium ballons for the kids from some booth would have been nice.

The Chamber does a nice job filling the place, but it would be nice if some one else stepped up to help them with recruitment of some smaller local businesses and organizations for next year.

Houlton has a lot to offer, and too many people are missing out on this opportunity to show others what is here in this area.

That's the view from my couch tonight.