
8 minute read
Opinions Changes that change us
from February 2, 2023
By Megan-Mack Nicholson
I’m a lover of winter. A lover of all the seasons, really. It would be hard for me to pick a favorite season other than the season I’m in at any given moment. The symphony of peepers and still canoeing waters of spring as you watch the water birds return home and that vibrant new-leaf green color paints the hills.
The long days of summer allow for all the play, the warmth on your skin, the gentle breezes at night, and hours upon hours of swimming.
The crisp mornings of Autumn, the brilliant Northeast fall foliage, the first lighting of the woodstove.
Maybe it’s because we are currently in winter and I’m absolutely in awe of its beauty every day, but I’m the closest I’ve ever been to saying that winter is my favorite season. I mean, if I had to, of course. Having the unbelievable fortune of splitting my time between Bath and Eustis, I do however have to acknowledge that our seasons are changing. It seems no matter where I go people are talking about how “it’s not like it used to be…” Change is our only constant, isn’t that what they say? Isn’t that what we already know to be true? Isn’t that what gives us perspective on life and assists in creating wisdom in our later years?
The other day, I heard a quote that’s been rattling in my brain and heart. It went something like this: “Everything we touch, we change, and everything we change, changes us.” Being a nature enthusiast, as a young girl, and now a woman who would rather take in the fresh air than anything else, this quote gives my life trajectory a whole new lens. Globally,
PUBLIC NOTICE
Town of Waterford
PARKING BAN
From November 15, 2022 to April 15, 2023, no vehicle shall be parked on any public street or way from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., as per MRSA 29A Section 2068-2069. Vehicles may be towed at owners’ expense. 2T4
TOWN OF BRIDGTON
3 CHASE STREET, SUITE 1 BRIDGTON, MAINE 04009
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
SPECIAL AMUSEMENT PERMIT
The Municipal Officers of the Town of Bridgton will hold a Public Hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 to accept oral and written comments on a Special Amusement Permit Application from Campfire Grille located at 518 Portland Road for live music and entertainment. 1T5
PUBLIC NOTICE
Town of Waterford WATERFORD PLANNING BOARD
The Waterford Planning Board will hold a public hearing at the Waterford Town Office on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss proposed revisions to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance regarding allowed uses in the 100-year floodway/Resource Protection Zone.
Public Welcome.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Town of Waterford
SNOW DEPOSIT WARNING
Earth Notes
“Earth Notes” is an outgrowth of a deep ecology discussion group. Writers reflect a delight in, and concern for, the earth and are individually responsible for opinions and information. Community members are invited to submit articles.


our environments are changing and I am certainly not void of guilt for the ways I have changed my surrounding environments. On the other hand, what if every time I experienced the awe, wonder and joy of a new season, it imprinted more awe, wonder and joy for the next? And what if all that appreciation and imprinting ultimately led me to be an outdoor educator and guide? No matter what, the best part about that quote is thinking that every time I interact with love toward nature, and a student is watching, they too can’t help but be changed. So, everything I touch, I change — “good” or “bad,” and everything I change, changes me — for “better” or “worse.” If we thought about it, it would probably be impossible to count the number of changes we have had throughout our lives. I think we could all agree that some changes we initiated, some we felt happened TO us and most were just inevitable. I want to remember this quote — this concept — to guide me toward being kinder to myself and to take more responsibility for how I affect others. I find it so interesting to acknowledge the parts of me that want and embrace change
Legals
LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE
Casco Self Storage
Pursuant to the rental agreement between Casco Self Storage and party named below, their personal property shall become the property of Casco Self Storage on February 10, 2023, in order to satisfy all liens brought on by default of payment.
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING
CASCO SELECTBOARD
FEBRUARY 7TH, 2023
CASCO COMMUNITY CENTER
940 MEADOW ROAD 6:00 P.M.
The Casco Selectboard will hold a public hearing at the Casco Community Center, 940 Meadow Road, Casco, Maine on February 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to review an application for an On-Premises Beer, Wine and Spirits License by Eastern Harvest Catering, Inc. dba Eastern Harvest Cafe, located at 333 Roosevelt Trail, Casco, Maine. 1T5
Public Notice while also acknowledging the parts of me that inwardly want to battle or ignore the changing. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could gracefully, excitedly and with great anticipation step into all changes as I do the next season on the calendar?
Megan-Mack Nicholson is a registered Maine Guide, Shamanic-Reiki Practitioner, certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide and runs an Outdoor Leadership school in northern Maine. You can contact her at www.holonhealingme.com

Waxwings
(Continued from Page 1B) the power company where another year we had discovered a Bohemian Waxwing with a few Pine Grosbeaks. On the phone, my friend had assured me there were Bohemians, so I returned to Main Street and found a flock of birds swooping down at rooftop level. I parked the car, and with binoculars saw a very large flock of Bohemian Waxwings in tall trees behind the bank, calling to one another with high pitched buzzy trills. Almost immediately, they took off and flew around. When they landed again it looked as if every twig had at least one bird on it, and on vertical branches birds were lined up one above the other. They were restless, flying from branch to branch and tree to tree, but I estimated at least three hundred birds. For many minutes, I watched as whole sections of the flock lifted up, flew around over the parking lot, and landed in another tree. Some birds swirled around my parked car, swooped low to land on crabapple trees beside me, and then flew up to perch in a big spruce tree in front of me, looking like ornaments on a Christmas tree.
Every winter, we hope to see Bohemian Waxwings, but they are not seen around here every year so it takes a combination of persistence and luck to find them. It also helps to take a second look at birds feeding on fruit and berries, and to listen for their thin high-pitched trills while out walking, or even while waiting at the drive-in window at the bank.
Groundhogs
(Continued from Page 1B) reason. Groundhogs are one of the few mammals that hibernate, falling into a deep slumber in October or November that lasts until mid-to-late February.
During hibernation, the body temperature of a groundhog can dip from 97 degrees Fahrenheit to only 34 degrees, and their breathing may drop to one breath every six minutes. In hibernation, a groundhog’s heart beats as few as four times every minute.
With sharp claws and powerful legs, groundhogs love to dig. Their burrows are surprisingly sophisticated, and normally include toilet chambers. But that penchant for digging can lead to trouble.
“We get a lot of calls from homeowners when groundhogs dig those holes too close to foundations,” remarked McTaggart. “They are also an enemy of farmers, and one reason is that livestock can get hurt when they step in holes dug by groundhogs.”
While they look cuddly, groundhogs can have a nasty disposition with people or other animals, and are more than willing to fight a turf war. “When they’re cornered, they can be aggressive,” said McTaggart. “They can stand their ground.”
If threatened, groundhogs will click their razor-sharp teeth and emit a sharp whistle (hence their nickname “whistle pig”) to alert other woodchucks.
Groundhog Day is derived from Candlemas, a Christianthemed mid-winter celebration in Europe with a legend that sunshine on Candlemas meant that 40 days of snow and cold were to follow.
In Germany, the legend evolved into a superstition that the
GROUNDHOGS, Page 6B
2T4
Warning is hereby given that no person or persons shall plow, shovel or otherwise deposit snow, or cause the same to be done, into the limits of any traveled public way. Pursuant to MRSA 17 A, Section 505, “Placing Obstructions on a Traveled Road” and MRSA 29A Section 2396 “Snow, a person may not place and allow to remain on a public way snow or slush that has not accumulated there naturally.” Persons in violation of these laws shall be subject to legal action.
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF CASCO
CASCO COMMUNITY CENTER
940 MEADOW ROAD
FEBRUARY 13TH, 2023 6:30 P.M.
There will be a Public Meeting held on February 13 2023, 6:30 P.M. at the Casco Community Center Meeting Room, 940 Meadow Road, Casco, Maine on the following items:
• Application for Site Plan – DM Roma representing their client R.J.R., LLC for a Car Wash – 385 Roosevelt Trail, Casco, Portion of Tax Map 2, Lot 18. This area is located in the Commercial District, currently vacant.
• Request for a revised Zoning Map Amendment – Archipelage Michael Morse representing his client Dan Grotto – Resource Protection District Tax Map 2, Lot 32-C-2 Watkins Shore Road, Casco.
• Application for Preliminary Major Subdivision – Sebago Technics representing their client KKT Realty Trust, for a 12 Lot Subdivision located at Leach Hill, Tax Map 8, Lot 31 Casco, Maine. This area is located in the Residential District.
• Application for Preliminary Major Subdivision – MainLand Development Consultants, Inc. representing their client OMM24, LLC for a five lot Subdivision located at Heath Road and Azwelikit Road, Tax Map 11, Lots 11 & 11-11-3 Casco Maine. This area is located in the Residential, Stream, and Wetland District.
Respectfully Submitted by, Mary Tremblay Town of Casco
Deputy Code Enforcement Officer
TOWN OF NAPLES
Select Board Public Meeting
The Naples Select Board will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 6 p.m. It will take place at 15 Village Green Lane. On the agenda:

• New Business License Application for the property found on Tax Map U03 Lot 016 and located at 533 Roosevelt Trail (also known as Lakeside Nutrition)
The public is welcome.
Warren’s Florist
~ Always Fabulous Florals ~
Fruit & Gift Baskets ~
Public Notice
Town Of Sebago
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Town of Sebago Planning Board will hold the following Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Sebago Town Hall Building.
ZONING AMENDMENTS
Proposed Amendments to the Land Use Ordinance of the Town of Sebago to Prohibit Quarrying in the Village and Rural Residential Districts. These Amendments also redefine Mineral Extraction. These Amendments Are Proposed by the Ordinance Review Committee. Copies of the Amendments Are Available at the Town Office. 2T4
Public Notice
Town Of Sebago
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Town of Sebago Planning Board will hold the following Public Hearings on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the Sebago Town Office Building.
SUBDIVISION PLAN REVIEW
Forest Fern, LLC (Owners)
Terradyn Consultants, LLC (Applicant) White’s Road – Map 15, Lot 7-1
Proposed Subdivision
SITE PLAN REVIEW
Richard Merritt (Goodwins Lodge)
683 Sebago Road – Map 4, Lot 16B
Proposed Expansion of Existing Cluster Development
Full Services Burials
