Jim Pond Township

This Franklin County township contains a section of the Dead River’s North Branch, along with several ponds, the largest of which is Jim Pond. The smaller Greenbush Pond is more accessible, but with a limited fishery. Route 27 follows the River on its journey to Eustis where it merges with the South Branch to create…

Dead River

The Dead River is one of the longest and most storied waterways in Maine. Its North Branch flows south from the Lower Pond in Chain of Ponds, Through Alder Stream Township and Jim Pond Township. The South Branch flows north from Saddleback Lake in Rangely through Dallas Plantation, Lang Township and Coplin Plantation.    …

Insects, Leaf-footed

Western Conifer Seed Bug (2017)

The Western Conifer Seed Bug is a type of leaf-footed bug, about 3/4 inch from head to tail, that feeds on seeds of trees, especially pine. It is not a destructive pest in the home, but is a nuisance. It finds its way into homes during the end of summer and early fall looking for a place…

Brookings, Wilmot W.

Wilmot W. Brookings (1830-1905) was born in Woolwich October 23, 1830. After being admitted to the bar, the new lawyer moved to Sioux Falls in what was to become the Dakota Territory in 1861 (which included today’s North and South Dakota, and much of Wyoming and Montana), and then the state of South Dakota in…

Logging in Maine

Hunt Sawmill in Jefferson (2012)

The cutting and moving of logs destined for lumber or paper was a tough, manual effort until the second half of the 20th century. Here is an eyewitness assessment by Louise Dickenson Rich of logging camp life in the 1940’s near Middle Dam in western Maine. I also had to learn to differentiate between a…