Cold, autumn air and the start of winter bring unique challenges to firefighting. In particular, it is often the start of chimney fire season. A chimney fire is a fire that occurs in the chimney, or vent, of a heating appliance. Frequently, it is caused when creosote ignites. Creosote is a highly combustible by-product of wood fires, which is deposited on the lining of chimney walls.

With the area’s first snowfall, cows, sheep, and goats have been taken off pasture and brought into barns and a noticeable layer of ice is forming atop small farm ponds.

Lincoln County is blessed with an abundance of rivers. Some are well-known and regularly visited; others are smaller and less familiar. Regardless of their size and location, all are beautiful and help define the geography of the county.

It’s dark in the morning now when I leave Bath for Lincoln County. I follow a fast moving stream of headlights up Route 1. That’s how I know day is coming. If it was the middle of the night, I’d be chasing my own high beams, the road to myself.

I share the frustration of the young activists as I listen to news from the Glasgow climate conference where wealthy countries want the summit to appear a success without putting up the cash and commitments to make it so. Meanwhile developing countries that feel the existential threat of climate change most keenly are unwilling to have their concerns smoothed over to make COP 26 look successful.

Hey folks, as one can see, the trees behind the old information building on the corner of Vine and Main streets are down, and I’ve met a few folks who are a little dismayed that they are gone. But let me point out, first, a couple of the trees were reported to be dying, and it would have happened sooner or later.

Recently, I came across an article written by Janet Ann Clement for The Lincoln County News on Oct. 2, 1993. It was the story of how a family was able to come from The Netherlands to enjoy life here. Wilhelmus and Lida Kool came to the United States in the hope of finding a better way of life for themselves and their son.

My name is Jess and I’m very excited to introduce myself as the newest contributor to The Lincoln County News through the Bringing Food Home column. I live in Damariscotta with my fiancé Tyler, 14-year-old son Abe, and our dog and chickens. 

Regular readers of this column know that while I try to write about a variety of wildlife, my main interest is in birds. Like many people, I have a soft spot for the feathered species that grace our backyards and feeders. Sadly however, birds are in trouble throughout the world.