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Maple Moon Apr 16, 2008 I wrote last month’s column long before that terrible car accident. I couldn’t know that it would appear in print at the same time as the accident. My heart goes out to all the families involved. I only mentioned driving and accidents because so many people are hurt on the roads, especially young people. I hoped my comments might make a difference to the way a driver thinks.
On the Road Again Mar 4, 2008 If you take exit 13 off the north bound lane of Route 3, you see a large, dead white pine on the far side of the exit. Look to the top, and quite often, you will see a red tailed hawk sitting in that tree. Recently, I saw three of them, one in the tree, and two circling above the highway.
Oh Deer! Jan 29, 2008 This was a good month for nature watching, both here and at work. First, I saw an odd animal in my field. At first glance, it looked like a coyote, but it seemed too small. It looked more like a fox, but it had the wrong coloring for a red, and was too big for a gray. I can only assume it was a small coyote. Coyotes often cross the field, looking for mice and other animals to eat. They scare me a little, but usually they stay away from the house.
Cast Offs Dec 23, 2007 I found a remarkable rug recently, hanging on a stack of cement blocks behind the barn. The rug is an old, long discarded braided rug, and it has been completely overgrown by a deep emerald moss. The moss follows the braids, so the original pattern is still shows. It is still a beautiful rug, though now not very practical. Mosses are one of my favorite plants. When all the larger plants shut down for winter, mosses keep on growing. If the temperature is above freezing, even if the moss is covered by snow, photosynthesis goes on.
The Mulberry Tree Revisited Nov 27, 2007 I have written about our mulberry trees before. While in fruit, they are a riot of life, and during the summer months, I collect leaves to grow silk worms at work. When fall comes, the leaves turn a sort of yellow. It is not the color that is so spectacular; it is the way they fall. Early in the morning, after some signal only the trees know, the leaves start to fall.
All’s Quiet Oct 30, 2007 It’s been very quiet on the old farm lately. Summer is winding down, and fall is starting up. The young hawks haven’t been around for a while, and even the insects have stopped singing. I haven’t seen many animals going by, no foxes, skunks, or coyotes, but I know they are there. It is the same with deer; you have to be in the right place at the right time to see them. Or maybe it is not the right place. Deer are easily startled, and can be quite dangerous.
The Dry Summer... Sep 28, 2007 I've been through dry summers before, but I have never seen so many mature trees in trouble. Swamp maples, sugar maples, dogwoods, and birches have all started to dry up and drop their leaves. Some of them are turning intensely red or yellow first, but this is not normal fall color; this is a tree is severe distress. It is quite possible that some of these trees will not leaf out next year.
Woodchucks... Aug 27, 2007 Did you know woodchucks can climb trees? I know they can, because I saw one coming down out of my mulberry tree! There is a bumper crop of the little devils this year, and they eat everything, including my marigolds. The quantity of food available might be why the hawks raised two babies this year, a male and a female.
The Old Farm... Jul 23, 2007 Well, another old Kingston farm is being chewed on. The place I live on and write about is smaller by another lot. My house and lot was carved out earlier, and now the lot next to me has been sold, and, if you have been by lately, you can see it is already being built on.
Bits and Bites... Jun 25, 2007 Studying the behavior of animals, a mainstay of previous research, had taken a back seat to looking at their chemistry. It is important, essential, even, to understand the chemistry behind liver function, but it is also necessary to know where a liver cell comes from, and what it looks like. Some of the biochemists weren't quite sure.
Spring Woodlands May 21, 2007 Twice a year, in spring and fall, the Nature Center provides walks at Willowbrook Farm in Pembroke for local school children. It is a Wildlands Trust property, and very beautiful. The naturalists lead the children around the almost 2 mile long trail, pointing out the plants, animals, geology, and history of the property...
Build Out is Inevitable Apr 23, 2007 Sometimes, when I sit down to write this column, I have trouble getting started. I might have seen too many animals or plants to choose, or I might have no ideas at all. This time, I’m thinking about Kingston and all the construction and infighting and loss of open space. I went to town meeting, and listened to the threats of 40 B and 40 R. A build out is inevitable, but it is sad. Folks moved here to because of our character, in our people and our land, but soon there will be little land left. Nature abhors a vacuum, so they say, and builders abhor open land.
Russian Students Mar 16, 2007 I recently had the chance to contrast and compare the artwork of teenagers in our area with the art of children in Zhigansk, Siberia. Each year, Norwell High School students show their art work at the Nature Center. Just after this year’s show, the work of the Zhigansk students was put on display at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset. The differences are startling. Our local artists have all the art supplies they need in their art room at school. What they create is a reflection of what surrounds them. No, not nature. Their art is not of the outdoors. It is of stark faces, some tortured, and disembodied hands playing keyboards. The work is bright, sometimes harsh or grating. Natural beauty is not a common theme.
At the Beach: Sea Gulls Feb 23, 2007 My mom and dad used to like to sit at the waterfront in Plymouth every afternoon, watching the fishing boats go in and out. I still sit there every once in a while myself. I sat there during a cold windy day this winter, and watched the gulls. They are beautiful birds, capable of incredible flying. They soar and dive, lift, and generally move in any direction they please. When the wind is strong, gulls will flex their wings just so, and hover over one spot. Relatively speaking, they are flying, but not going anywhere. I suppose you could say they were geosynchronous.
Weather or Not Jan 20, 2007 I didn't think I would be writing about another warm winter so soon again, but this year is even worse than last. El Nino is supposed to be to blame this year, forcing warm air northward. It is hard to be upset, on the one hand, because heating costs are lower. On the other hand, what is happening to the plants and animals? One of my concerns is whether or not there will be any useable maple sap this spring.
Warmer than normal weather has kept ticks out and about... Dec 16, 2006 The beginning of December has been a series of sightings, all different kinds, in different places. First, there were the ticks, deer ticks, at home and away. I saw them in my skin, in December. In an ordinary year, they would have been tucked away for the winter, but with our warm temperatures so far, they are still out. I check my dog each time we go out, so I guess I picked them up on my own. One of them left its head in my skin. (Did I mention that I hate ticks? They give me the creeps.)
Randall Prevails on Recount May 14, 2008 After a 30 minute instructional period and less then two hours of counting, Selectman Dennis Randall can finally feel better about continuing in the position. The re-count showed no change in his three vote victory over ZBA Chairman John Haas, 386-383. Not a single ballot was ever challenged during the process. Randall was gracious in after the process as was Haas.
It is with a heavy heart that The Observer announces the death of Mauro Mazzilli, 65, of 13 Cedar Lane in Rocky Nook. EMT's were called to his home earlier this morning and he was pronounced dead at the Jordan Hospital. Mauro was a colorful man who loved the political process and being a part of it. He most recently ran for Selectman. Mauro had many friends and had a kind heart. We will miss him terribly and find it difficult to believe he is gone. Our heart goes out to his wife Dotty, his children and his beloved grandchildren.
We will pass on more specific information after we speak with Dotty.
The re-count for the three year Selectman's seat will take place Wednesday, May 14 in room 220, second floor, Kingston Town Hall. Dennis Randall won the seat by three votes over John Haas. The issue will be put to rest around 4-5 hours later.
MARTIN RESIGNS
Assessor William Martin has resigned his seat but will continue on as Veteran's Agent. Details to follow.
GRINHAM REINSTATED
Tax Collector employee Eileen Grinham has been reinstated to her job following a Union challenge and a closed door Selectmen's Hearing after being fired by Collector Priscilla Palombo. No other particulars are available but the woman is back at her desk
Kingston Reporter Wishes to Correct Error May 1, 2008 I just got off the phone with Kingston Reporter Editor Scott Smith who wanted me to know, and to pass on to our web readers, the fact that a portion of a recent post election story was incorrect.
(Click headline for story)
Food Prices are Rising - Tips to Outsmart the Register Apr 17, 2008 With food prices on the dramatic rise, consumers need to get creative on how to reduce their bills while still leaving the store with food for a week. My grovery bill used to hit nearly $300 per week. Thanks to some store savvy strategies, we have (and you can too!) cut the bill in half! Here are some tips to make this possible.
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