Greetings from West Paris!
The West Paris Bobcat Committee is asking for support in the form of financial donations to help in efforts to preserve the former Agnes Gray School buildings and grounds. The Committee’s mission is to protect this important piece of West Paris history to ensure it will serve our community in the future.
While the Town of West Paris is exploring different options for the future of the property, the Bobcat Committee has been lending a hand in cleaning up the grounds, mowing the grass, and monitoring the exterior of the building and grounds. Until future plans are made, the Bobcats will do what they can to help with the upkeep and prevent further deterioration. Some of the most pressing needs are new roofs, weatherstripping, replacement of broken windows, and heating system improvements.
The Bobcat Committee appreciates contributions of any size and as a thank you, they are currently entering all names from donations into a raffle. There are several prizes including three vinyl albums from West Paris’s very own Maine Humorist, Joe Perham, a car care kit, a crocheted baby outfit and more. The drawing is scheduled for the Dec. 15th Bobcat Committee Meeting. You do not have to be present to win. Donations by check can be mailed to the following:
The Bobcat Committee
Jim Marshall, President
PO Box 34
West Paris, ME 04289
You may also donate by following this QR code:
The Bobcat Committee is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Their meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the West Paris Library. New members are always welcome.
The woolly bears are on the move! I’ve seen two of them this week. According to folklore, they are known for their ability to predict the length and severity of our winters by the length of their brown midsection. In the fall, these creatures make their way to a dark place to take shelter for the winter. In reality, the length of their midsection is just an indication of how old the caterpillar is. As it ages, it adds more brown hairs making their midsections appear larger, and therefore tricking us into thinking our winter will be a mild one, according to folklore. They survive the cold winter by producing a cryoprotectant that prevents their tissue from freezing as well as glycerol which insulates their body. Let’s hope they find their shelter soon, as the morning frosts have arrived! Maybe I’ll see these two flittering around as Isabella Tiger Moths in the spring.
Don’t forget to vote! Early voting is now open to West Paris residents any day the West Paris Town Office is open. M-W 8AM-5PM, Th 10AM-6PM, F 8AM-1PM. You may request an absentee ballot in person or online until Thursday, October 29th. You may also register to vote any day up to and including election day, November 3rd. Voting will be open on November 3rd from 8 AM until 8 PM.
Calendar of Upcoming Events:
Now through December 30: Art Exhibit, “The Nature of Trees” by Mick Liimatta, at the West Paris Library. Library open hours are Monday and Friday, 1:30-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 1:30-7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Thursday October 22nd: Public Hearing 5:00 PM.
The Town of West Paris will hold a Public Hearing at the West Paris Town Office in the meeting room to discuss acceptance of a Public Infrastructure CDBG Grant. The purpose of the grant is to replace the current water storage reservoir and associated piping, replace a critical river crossing, and the transmission main from the reservoir to the river crossing to comply with a MDWP Administrative Order. The district will also seek to locate and develop a secondary water supply. Public comments will be solicited at this Hearing and will be submitted as part of the Project Development Phase.
Saturday, October 24th: 4:30-6:00 PM Public Chicken Pie Supper at the Ring McKeen Legion Hall, 6 Church St. West Paris. Donation $12.00 per person. Eat in or take out. The full meal includes: chicken pie, mashed potato, veggies, homemade rolls, a dessert and beverage.
Monday Oct 26th: Goodwill Fellowship meeting/potluck at 12 noon at the West Paris Unitarian Universalist Church. Pokeno theme for Thanksgiving.
Wednesday October 28th: 5:30 PM, West Paris Old Home Days Planning Meeting. Held at Ripple Retreat, 186R Main Street, West Paris. All are welcome to join and share ideas.
Thursday October 29th: The Survey for the Town of West Paris Comprehensive Plan is due at the Town Office. Copies are available at the West Paris Town Office.
Saturday October 31st: The West Paris Vulnerability Assessment Survey is due. Paper copies of the survey are available at the Town Office and West Paris Library. You can also fill it out online at https://forms.gle/uxh5BpxzF3VXiQLy5 The goal of the Assessment Survey is to help West Paris become more resilient to extreme weather and other climate impacts.
Saturday October 31: Community Trunk or Treat at 5:00-7:30 PM at the West Paris Fire Station.
Tuesday November 3rd: Food Pantry 1PM-3PM at the West Paris Baptist Church.
Tuesday November 3rd: Polls are open for voting from 8AM-8PM at the West Paris Town Office.
Tuesday, November 10th: West Paris Planning Board Meeting at 6PM at the West Paris Town Office.
Tuesday, November 10th: West Paris Library Advisory Board Meeting 6:30-7:30PM. This is a monthly meeting and is open to the public.
December Date TBA: 100th Anniversary of the West Paris Library from 2:00-4:00 PM. Speaker: Rodney Abbott with displays and more. Join us to celebrate our 100-year-old Library! Everyone is welcome!
Ongoing West Paris Meetings/Events:
West Paris Selectman Meetings at 5PM Always the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the West Paris Town Office. All are welcomed to attend.
Recovery Ripples Meeting Every Tuesday at Ripple Retreat from 5pm to 6pm. This is a meeting for those in longterm recovery to discuss the good in our lives now, thanks to sobriety, rather than focusing on the bad. It’s an hour of Gratitude, sharing what we are grateful for as a direct result of our sobriety. We don’t share war stories or look in the past, we focus on today and the future. The meeting is held in person at Ripple Retreat, 186R Main Street, West Paris, ME 04289 and online at https://ripple-retreat.com/recovery-resources/.
The Ring McKeen American Legion Post 150 Every 4th Tuesday of the month the Legion and Auxiliary have a meeting and supper. The supper is at 6:00 PM and the meeting starts at 7:00PM. Any Veterans are welcome to join their Comrades.
The First Universalist Church of West Paris Worship Services Sundays, 9 AM. October’s services will feature music by guitarist Davy Sturtevant and a variety of guest speakers. Refreshments served following the service. All are welcome!
October 25, “Repairers of the Breach” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell.
If your West Paris organization has an event or meeting you would like to have listed in this newsletter, please email Stephanie at semery73@yahoo.com.
