Beyond the South End

             

 

 

 By Ted Sylvester

 

 



(This column ran in “Maine Weekend” of the

 Bangor Daily News, December 19-20, 1987)

There were many topics that could be discussed here this week. But ‘tis the season to be jolly and merry and to offer good cheer and greetings to loved ones, friends, and associates.

 

Some of the topics pre-empted by this Christmas card included such subjects as thievery, politics, speculation, and poetic justice.

For instance, there was the tale of the Christmas tree thieves at the Cutting Farm in Warren who were caught red-handed by an employee. The thieves ran for cover to escape detection. But they left behind a brand new chain saw valued at about $300. The boys at the farm are holding the saw for the owner to come and claim it—if he dares.

Or there was the story of the juvenile who wanted to go into the Christmas-tree business. He set up a nice lot in the city stocked with a dozen or so trees. The only problem was he neglected to make arrangements with the owner of the trees before he cut them down and hauled them out of the woods.

A column could have been written about the futility of the review process of the county budget. This was especially evident this week when only three of a dozen or so legislators bothered to show up for the scheduled review session. Oh sure, it was snowing. But every single one of the county’s department heads showed up. Where were the legislators? Hats off to Reps. Joseph Mayo and Rita Melendy and Sen. Linda Brawn. Shame on the rest of you.

Speaking of politics, there is a scramble on by Republicans  in the county. The GOP locals are searching for candidates to take on the popular M and M Democrat due, Mayo and Melendy. Potential candidates have been contacted by party leaders, but to date there are no takers. At least that is what my spies say.

Speculation stories? One question being asked is what will happen to the empty stores at the Ames Shopping Center, and the major void downtown created when Shore Save closed. I don’t have a clue as to what the future holds for these stores. The one suggestion made about the downtown stores was that they be taken over by the Chamber of Commerce as an office, conference center, and public parking lot. Forget it. The retail property is too valuable as a commercial entity.

There is one development on the horizon involving the C of C that might come true—its purchase of the trolley now being used to transport shoppers in the downtown and shopping center areas. A deal is in the works to have the C of C purchase the trolley and turn it over to Coastal Trans to operate a scheduled shuttle service in the city. Remember you heard it here first.

But we don’t want to talk about any of those things this time of year. It’s Christmas and Hanukkah. Let’s all enjoy ourselves and thank our lucky stars that we live and work in such a nice place, surrounded by such nice people. The list is long. Invariably someone will be missed. Believe me, it is not intentional.

For some reason in past years, I have neglected to offer season’s greetings to Doug Gerrish, one of the Coffee Shop regulars who brings us interesting conversation and solutions to the problems of the day. Also, Kathryn Fogg, head of the city’s Welfare Department, was neglected in previous Fish ‘n Chip greeting cards.

So to Doug and Kathryn and her crew, special greetings this holiday season.

Topping the list of greetings of course are family members and loved ones. Special Merry Christmas and love to Natalie, Stuart, Scott, Donna, Matthew, Brian, Steve, Barb, Jacob, Mom and Dad, brother Harlan and family, sister Sara and family, and sister Sandra.

To the many friends, associates, competitors, clerks, dispatchers, and department heads that we deal with almost daily, many happy returns. Special greetings and thanks to the best crew anyone could ever want: Emmet, Cynthia, Susan, Griff, Mark, Mary, Dorothy and Henry.

The competition, God love ‘em. How sweet it is to have such nice people to try and beat on the stories every day. Greetings to Michael, Steve, Steve, Dick, Ray, Sandra, Brian, Maureen, Ivy, John, Dianna, Jeff, Jon and Larry.

The time away from the office is most cherished with such wonderful friends as Maxine, Mike, Bob, Lucille, Dot, Elmer, Checker, Marion, Joan, Roger, Bill, Ruth, Charles, Yvonne, Dan, Mae, Louise, Tom, Fay, Leo, Joan, Jim, John, Don, Cora, Tink, Nancy, Gary, Doris, Floyd and Lena.

The Coffee Shop regulars are a special lot. The day would not be complete without a visit with the likes of Joe, Sam, Howie, Bill, John, John, Jerry, Paul, Howard, Hank, Gardner, Ted, Ham, Steve, Allen, Mel, Meredith, and Bill.

To those who provide us with legitimate news every day, many thanks and appreciation to Wanda, Leo, Sharon, Lou, Susan, Sis, Carol, Al, Dave, Becky, Russ, Marian, Cathy, Susan, Shirley, Priscilla, Cindy, Snooky, Penelope, Bena, Carol, Betty, Barb, Elaine, Linda, Melissa, Ginny, Priscilla, Sis, Linwood, Al, Bert, Fern, Noel, Rick, Wanda, Bob, Forrest, Ernie, Ray, Dawn, Chipper, Jack, Doc.

Merry Christmas, everyone.