Fire * O’Chang and Nicholas * Deer Hunters

This Week in Lincolnville

Mon, 11/17/2014 - 11:45am

    The terrible fire in Portland on Halloween night has me thinking about fire again, though I didn’t need the reminder. We heat our house with wood for the most part, and have for the past 44 years. Heating season always puts us on the alert, as those inert iron boxes that have held piles of mail, ripening tomatoes, and a basket of laundry throughout the summer are turned into scalding hot vessels of licking flame and glowing coals.

    For most of the time we’ve lived here, we’ve tended four stoves every day of winter. In recent years we’ve replaced the shop stove with a Rinnai and rarely light the little Jotul in another room. But our main heat source is still the old Glenwood cookstove in the kitchen and an airtight stove in the living room.

    By now we think we’re pretty savvy about heating with wood, but we’re really only one mistake away from disaster: An escaped coal on the floor, a chair placed too close to a stove, a stovepipe clogged with creosote. For inherently cautious people like us, it’s really living on the edge. We’re unconsciously on alert the whole time the fires are lit. A friend tells me she says a prayer for us every night.

    Here’s a story about a wintertime fire that Isabel Maresh told me years ago:

            The dog scratching at the shed door alerted Isabel Morse Maresh that frigid night in January 1955. Somebody must be at the door, she thought, and, as country people have always done, she opened it without hesitation. What lay behind the door is every country person’s greatest fear—not of a stranger, but of fire. An explosion of light, an eerie burst of color, filled the shed. Instinctively, she shut the door and grabbed the baby. There were others in the house that night, children and adults, and they all got out the front door. They put the young ones in the truck, then stood across from the house they’d been born in and watched the fire consume it from one end to the other.

             But first came the frantic moments trying to save what they could. Isabel’s brother, Ray, managed to get the tractor started and drove it right through the barn door, knocking her young husband into the wall in the process. Then, no one could find Ricky, the youngster who’d been asleep upstairs; he was finally located inside a car where someone had put him for safekeeping at the very beginning of the conflagration. The fourteen milkers and four cows due to freshen were lost, their keepers watching helplessly as they struggled at their tie-ups, silhouetted by the blaze. So were two pigs, a heifer and Bob Maresh’s dog that slept in the haymow.

             The Morse homestead, 131 Belfast Road, Northport, was built with the fatal flaw of most of the old places—barn and house were attached by a series of sheds and ells, so if one part caught fire the whole was likely to go. When Isabel made her panicky call to the Belfast Fire Department and reported their house in Northport was on fire, she was told that a selectman from that town had to call it in! Fortunately, that official was on her party line—Lloyd Drinkwater—and he said he would take care of it. Then the phone went dead.

            Isabel, barely 20 that night, watched it all from the shelter of the truck; with her baby and her younger siblings huddled next to her, shielding them from the sight. She watched Northport’s firemen arrive, then Lincolnville’s and Belfast’s. She saw the water from their hoses turn to ice in the air, before raining down on her family’s burning home. The cause was determined to have been the faulty wiring on a deep freeze in the shed; it may have smoldered for a long time before catching the hay stored in the mow above. The barn and shed were a total loss, and the house was little better. In the ruins of the upstairs they found that the bed where two-year old Ricky had been sleeping was burned up.

    Hay. Woodstoves. Kerosene lamps. Old wooden houses with old frayed wiring. Lightning. It’s a wonder any of the town’s original houses are still standing. Let’s take them one at a time:

    Hay is not only fuel for a fire, it’s a fire starter all by itself. If hay is put away green, or with too high a moisture content, it can heat up in the loft of the barn. Thrust your hand into a bale of hay that’s heavier than the others in a load, and it may feel damp and warm, the beginning of spontaneous combustion. The oldtimers always salted down their hay as they packed it loose in the barn, which was supposed to cut down on the moisture.

    Wood stoves and their companion chimneys start fires in several ways. A hot wood stove can ignite nearby combustibles such as newspaper, the wood box, the wall behind it, the floor under it or the laundry hanging over it. The chimney can become filled with creosote from burning green wood, and then in turn the creosote catches. The burning chimney can crack and set fire to the attic or the flames shooting out the top may ignite wooden roof shingles.

    Calendar

    WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19
    Fitness/Yoga class,
    9-10:30 a.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Rd.

    Recreation Commission, 6:30 p.m., Town Office

    Artist/Musician Presentation, 7 p.m., Library


    THURSDAY, NOV. 20
    Soup Café,
    noon-1 p.m., Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road


    FRIDAY, NOV. 21
    Firearm Training Course,
    6 p.m., Outdoor Sportsman, Atlantic Highway, Northport (continued on Saturday)


    SATURDAY, NOV. 22
    Lermond Charities Craft Show,
    9 a.m.-3 p.m., Community Building

    Children’s Crafts, 10 a.m., Library

    Contra Dance, 7 p.m., Community Building


    SUNDAY, NOV. 23
    Kate Braestrup preaches,
    9:30 a.m., United Christian Church

     


    Every week
    AA meetings,
    Tuesdays & Fridays at 12:15 p.m., Wednesdays & Sundays at 6 p.m., United Christian Church

    Lincolnville Community Library, open Tuesdays, 5-8, Wednesdays, 2-7, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon. For information call 763-4343.

    Schoolhouse Museum open by appointment only until June 2015: call Connie Parker, 789-5984

    Soup Café, Thursdays, noon-1 p.m., Community Building, free (donations appreciated)


    COMING UP
    SATURDAY, DEC. 6, Beach Tree Lighting & L.I.A. Christmas party

    Once upon a time an open flame in the form of a kerosene lamp burned nightly in every home on the table where the family gathered to eat and do homework, read the newspaper and mend the stockings. Kerosene lamps hung on walls over the sink, and kerosene lanterns were carried into the barn. These lamps and lanterns were sometimes knocked over, sending burning kerosene across floors and tablecloths.

     Long skirts were a particular hazard in the days of open fireplace cooking, but even in later years women’s clothing caught fire in the course of normal chores—stoking the stove, burning leaves outdoors, tending the laundry boiler. 

    More than one old man has burned his house down throwing kerosene on the morning’s fire to “get her roarin’.” 

    And more than once the householder has cleaned out the cold ashes from the wood stove or fireplace, put them in a paper bag and set it in the shed. The one small, glowing ember that lurks in those ashes might as well be a lit match. Century-old wooden houses are dry as tinder with plenty of places for mice to chew, undetected, through wiring. Enough said of that. And lightning, of course, has a head start on destruction when the house is tinder-dry and the barn full of old hay. And they’re attached.

     Read more about Lincolnville fires in Staying Put in Lincolnville 1900-1950, available at Western Auto and at Sleepy Hollow Rag Rugs, 217 Beach Road.

     The November Library Presentation and Concert program features artist Hanji Chang, a painter, graphic designer and co-creator of O’Chang Comics. Hanji, who was born in Taiwan to a Korean mother and Taiwanese father, spent the first part of her life in South Africa during the last gasps of apartheid.

    A recent graduate of Maine college of Art with a BFA in new media, she is now married to a Mainer and living in Rockland. 

    Following Hanji’s presentation, the husband-wife team of John and Rachel Nicholas will perform their original songs. The couple have been making music together for more than 30 years, sharing the stage with Dave Mallett, Patty Larkin, Chris Smither, Paul Sullivan, Mary Gauthier and many others throughout New England. The program at the Library at 208 Main Street, begins at 7 p.m.; tickets, which should be reserved in advance, are $10. Contact Rosey Gerry, 975-5432 to reserve yours.

    Julie Turkevich has a Thanksgiving project for children this month. She writes: “Come to the Lincolnville Community Library on Saturday morning, November 22, from 10 to 12 to learn how to make pine cone turkeys! There is no charge, and all materials will be provided, including plenty of bling for your bird.”

    Also Saturday, at the Community Building the Lermond Family Charities Craft Show will be held, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fish chowder and corn chowder will be available for lunch along with biscuits, coffee and dessert. A couple of more tables are available; contact Nancy Heald, 763-4280, if you’re interested. Proceeds from this show go towards upkeep of two local cemeteries.

     The United Christian Church (UCC) invites the community to join them at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 23, for the third of a Six Sundays series of services with Rev. Kate Braestrup of Lincolnville. She is the author of the National Bestseller Here If You Need Me, as well as Marriage and Other Acts of Charity, and Beginner’s Grace: Bringing Prayers to Life. Since the publication of her books, Kate is a popular public speaker around the country and abroad, entertaining and educating interested audiences with her characteristic honesty, good humor and poignancy. Kate’s series at the Lincolnville’s UCC will continue December 21, January 25 and February 15. All are welcome. For further information call Susan Silverio at 763-4652.

    If you have a dog note that its license expires Dec. 31. Renew it at the town office or online.

    There’s still room in the upcoming NRA Basic Firearm Training Course that Lincolnville’s Doug Hammond teaches at Outdoor Sportsman in Northport, Nov. 21-22. The Friday session runs from 6-9 p.m., then resumes Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1-2 p.m.

    Doug says: “Whether you have been shooting your whole life or are new to guns, you will learn something new in this 8-hour course, and successful completion allows you to apply for a concealed weapon permit. I stress Attitude, Knowledge and Skill for the safe and legal use of firearms. That includes principles of safe handling, sight picture, trigger control, breathing, stance (one-handed, two-handed, bench), handgun and caliber selection, cleaning and maintenance, and range rules. One-on-one range shooting is included. If you can’t make this class, ask for the schedule for future dates, or if you have 10 or more people ready to take a class, we can set one up to meet your schedule. Cost is $90. A pistol is available to use if you don’t own a gun.”

    Register at Outdoor Sportsman, 338-4141, or contact Doug

     Apparently, back in the day (1970s?) the Community Building was a popular hall on the Contra Dancing circuit. I say “apparently” because we were raising three little boys in the 70s and don’t remember much of anything else. Anyway, this Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m., a contra-dance featuring Karl's Dad's Reunion Band will be held at the refurbished Community Building, 18 Searsmont Road. 

    The Band consists of Chuck Dorr, Paul Bernacki, and John Silverio and features caller, John McIntire. Dances will be appropriate for all ages and skill levels. All are welcome, young, old and middle. Entry fee is $8. Homemade goodies and beverages will be sold. Call Jack Silverio, 763-4652 for more information.

    Jodi Hanson, Lincolnville’s finance director, writes about the return of Lincolnville’s Giving Tree Project: As in years’ past, many families in town will be struggling to make ends meet during the cold winter season. Some of us may be faced with the ever-growing stress of trying to provide the best Christmas for our families on a very tight budget.  The Giving Tree makes the holiday season a bit less stressful for families who may be struggling financially. Applications have been sent out to families and should be returned to the Town Office this week.” Each tag hung on the Giving Tree represents a specific gift;  those wishing to donate to this project can come to the Lincolnville Town Office Monday thru Friday to pick up however many tags that they desire, purchase the items that are listed on the tags and bring them back to Jodi for wrapping/delivery. If you want to help but can’t get to the T.O. contact Jodi or 763-3555.

    Why not do much your Christmas shopping right here in Lincolnville this year? Here’s a suggestion: Green Tree Coffee & Tea of Maine  at 2456 Atlantic Highway, just south of the Beach, is Lincolnville’s own (and only) coffee roaster. Stop by and ask to watch them do it. You can even devise your own blend from the many, many coffee varieties they sell, both ground and whole bean. Or choose from the 25 or so varieties of bulk tea. Coffee & tea brewing equipment is for sale there, as well as locally made mugs, honeys, jams and chocolates. Contact them, 706-7900. If you want your business to be mentioned for holiday shopping, let me know. I’d like to include everyone….

    Here’s a recipe I clipped out of the Courier Gazette some 40 years ago. I make it  whenever I’ve got extra apples lying around, like now:

    APPLE WALNUT CAKE

    Recipe by Loana Shibles

     4 C coarsely chopped apples (I leave the peels on)

    2 C sugar (feel free to cut down on the sugar; I don’t)

    2 eggs

    ½ C vegetable oil

    2 t vanilla

    2 C sifted flour

    2 t baking soda

    2 t cinnamon

    1 t salt

    1 C walnuts (I leave them whole, but the recipe says “chopped”)

     Mix together the apples and sugar and let them stand while you do the rest. Beat the eggs slightly, add oil and vanilla. Mix and sift the flour with soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir into the egg mixture alternately with the apples, then add the walnuts. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350º for about an hour. Cool in the pan, then turn it out. I serve it with whipped cream. The recipe recommends white frosting. However you serve it, it’s chunky and delicious, especially good warm.

    We’re halfway through regular deer hunting season. According to Donnie Heald whose Four Aces Arms is Lincolnville’s tagging station, 41 deer have been tagged so far, almost all of them by local hunters. Check out Four Aces’ Facebook page to see photos of successful hunters. Meanwhile, here at Sleepy Hollow, my resident hunter makes daily trips across the road and up the path to Frohock Mountain, his favorite spot. On a sunny day I suspect he’s doing more napping up there than hunting, and he always comes home with stories about red squirrel antics.