Progress… and a wishbone
Walkabout: PI
Happenings in the Star City
Looks like progress
There’s a caution about counting chickens before they’re hatched, but a look around the Star City reveals signs of progress all around as construction continues late in the season.
Crews are working to close in structures before snow flies at the Presque Isle Community Center site on Chapman Street and at AutoZone near Marden’s. On Main St., there is activity inside at what will be Domino’s (pizza).
On the other side of the courthouse on Riverside Drive, groundwork is underway on the structure that will house the Riverside Public Market when it opens next spring. City grant writer Kim Smith explained one of the two grants obtained for the project was contingent upon completion of ground-breaking work, “so we have to do it in a timely manner to get those funds,” she said.
“Think Boston Public Market,” Smith continued, describing the final structure. “It will be an open plan with a roof and open sides.” Vendors can be positioned on the sides, while the walkway will be clear, allowing pedestrians to walk down the center of the sidewalk.
That type of construction will also allow for other uses — music performances, arts and crafts shows and other community activities. “It won’t be just for the public market for two days a week in the summer, but will be a multi-use structure,” she noted.
In yet another project, crews and machinery are active at the new Machias Savings Bank building between Dyer and Parsons streets. Branch Manager Mike Kelley said Friday, “Things are moving very quickly, and the weather has been on our side.”
He said the target is to have the building completed by the first of May next year, with final work and paving done around May 15. Once everything is moved into the new building, the existing structure will be torn down.
Kelley emphasized they are relying on local contractors; Soderberg Construction of Caribou is building the new facility, and JR McGillan of Fort Fairfield will demolish the old one.
One final tidbit: financial technology company SmartAsset wrote this week that its recent study, ranking counties across America with the lowest per-capita debt, ranked Aroostook County number one in Maine.
Anybody seen any chickens?
A lucky break
Are you one of those who just can’t wait for the furcula?
In layman’s terms, that would be the wishbone.
It’s turkey time, and who doesn’t remember eagerly awaiting the bone being pulled from the bird, waiting eons for it to dry and then grabbing one end and making your fondest wish? (Maybe some of us never outgrow that…)
According to modernfarmer.com, the idea came from the ancient Etruscans, who believed birds could predict the future. Upon slaughtering a chicken, they would set the clavicle bone in the sun to dry in an effort to preserve the bird’s powers. People would pick up the bone and make wishes on it — hence, the name “wishbone.”
The tradition passed on to the Romans, apparently, who gave it to the English, who brought it over with the Pilgrims. So the story goes, there was a dearth of chickens and a slew of wild turkeys — so the wishbone idea migrated to the larger fowl.
Finally, it is said that the term “lucky break” came from the wishbone tradition — if you got the larger piece, you had a lucky break of the bone, and got your wish.
Giving thanks
It seems like Thanksgiving is the “forgotten” holiday — at least in the retail world. Right after Halloween, Christmas hits the stores full force. Somewhere in the midst of all this, there is Thanksgiving. It’s a day for gatherings, meals, football, shopping outings — and a testament to family and tradition.
The holiday lends itself not only to delicious food prepared with much love, but above all to gratitude — for where we are, for family and friends who are with us, for loved ones no longer with us, for life and all the blessings that surround us.
Take time this week to reminisce, laugh lots, eat well — and be grateful for the people in your life and at your table.
Happy Thanksgiving.
