Do you recognize some of the people in this painting? This is a close-up photo of a mural by internationally recognized Woolwich artist John Gable called “The Gathering,” which captures the artwork that illustrate books by Maine authors. The mural was unveiled during a very special ceremony at the newly constructed Woolwich Central School tonight, Tuesday, June 19.

Alan Hawkins, affectionately known by some locals as “The Hawk,” will once again roam the halls of Wiscasset schools. As interim superintendent for Sheepscot Valley RSU 12, Hawkins will communicate with staff and visit other schools in the district when he begins his new, one-year post on Monday, July 2. The school board voted unanimously to approve his position during their meeting at the Windsor Elementary School on June 14.

But fun can still be had at the Town Hall this Saturday. There will be an Antiques Road Show, which runs from 3 – 5 p.m.

“We’re very pleased with this budget; it supports kids,” RSU 12 Superintendent Greg Potter said during a telephone interview after the referendum. “This is a very positive result and we feel good about that support.”

The voting results are as follows (numbers taken from RSU 12 Office of the Superintendent):

Alna: 60 yes, 50 no

Chelsea: 242 yes, 164 no

Palermo: 91 yes, 73 no

Somerville: 36 yes, 38 no

Westport Island: 114 yes, 98 no

Whitefield: 175 yes, 95 no

Windsor: 176 yes, 128 no

Wiscasset: 333 yes, 326 no

Totals: 1227 yes and 972 no votes. Of the total votes, there were 78 “voids” or ballot with this question left blank.

About 60 people gathered at the Nequasset Meeting House in Woolwich Thursday night for a presentation called, “Alewives in Woolwich: History, Economy and Ecology.” Participants of the June 7 slide and discussion witnessed history unfold as speakers discussed activities that have taken place along Nequasset Brook for hundreds of years and of the potential hope for other species as preservation of anadromous fish continues. Speaker Trevor Hunt from the Bath Water District explained how preservation of fish passage upriver has always been part of the plan and how groups formed with the District to support the fish ladder’s restoration.

This cow at Morris Farm in Wiscasset takes a moment to scratch behind their ear on a recent June Day. Itching is till somewhat of a mystery to the scientific and medical community. While there are many conditions that create the urge to itch, there are many unanswered questions concerning the need to itch without a specific cause. GARY DOW/Wiscasset Newspaper

–Susan Johns reporting

Volunteers have stopped counting alewives at Nequasset Brook Dam in Woolwich. Even if fish made it up this raging brook, people wouldn’t be able to see them. And people are encouraged to use caution if they visit the dam.
Alicia Heyburn, project director from Kennebec Estuary Land Trust in Bath, said the harvesting of alewives closed on Friday, June 1, three days before the mandated closure, and this year’s harvest exceeded last year’s 825 bushels.
Volunteers are tabulating the numbers and will have a final visual count of fish that made it up the ladder into Nequasset Lake. Folks interested in learning more can attend an informative presentation about the alewives, the dam and its history Thursday, June 7. The presentation will be held at the Nequasset Meeting House at 6:30 p.m.