To the Editor:
This is a salute to John Andrews, a citizen who watches over our needs. A community such as ours is like a jigsaw puzzle. In order for the whole picture to present, it is necessary that many individual pieces be properly placed. One such piece is the town clock, which we all have come to take a lot less for granted in the past couple of years as the clock and bell were on sabbatical in order to have a new suit of clothes prepared.
How many of you count the tolling of the bell and then, as I do, look up at the clock to see if it – and you – were correct? Of course, correct it is.
Behind that ritual is the need for the clock to be wound weekly, to have little adjustments made, and perhaps to receive a small drop of oil and a pat of appreciation. For that to happen, a dedicated soul must enter the building mount staircases, cross exposed ceiling rafters and climb ladders.
Some folks look to the bell’s tolling in the night as a reminder to take medicine, that it’s “time to make the donuts,” to get up for an early day’s labors or to start that long trip to visit someone distant.
Twice a year the government tells us that clocks need to “fall” back or “spring” ahead one hour at 2 a.m. on a Sunday morning. We all have a routine for addressing that need in the warm comfort of our home. I, for one, don’t worry about it until I have had breakfast.
I’m certain we would be satisfied if our volunteer Quasimodo got to the chore sometime during the day on Sunday. Yet, if you are awake in the wee hours on a particular Sunday next spring, notice that the bell rings at what should be two o’clock exactly as prescribed. That cold, dark climb has been made so the change could take place precisely as called for – and so we can depend on it.
Yes, he changes it at 2 a.m. Thank you, John!
Dick McLean
Damariscotta
