Western Maine
28
From Grave To Cradle, The Circle Of Life Colorful names from Western Maine’s past by Peter Lenz
I
t all started sometime back when my daughter Aurora, now eighteen, was four years old. It was at this time that we literally walked into an unexpected and wonderfully enriching experience, and, eventually a publishing project. We’d been excited to hike on discontinued and abandoned roads after black fly season was over. One fine sunshiny day we found ourselves up on Young’s Hill in West Paris. At one time, a very long time back, a road went over the top of the hill and down to North Pond and the Milletville district of Norway. At some point in our trudging along,
one of us, I think it was “the baby,” noticed man-made objects in the brush. “Daddy, look!” Off to the side of the path, several partly-covered and hauntingly beautiful stones appeared in the tall grass, struggling, it seemed, to be noticed and not forever forgotten. We had stumbled across a “lost,” very old, long abandoned graveyard. Taking no time to think about it, Aurora immediately began spelling out the letters of names. There, peeking out at us were several of unusual beauty, like precious gems: AURELIA, DULCE, NEWBEGIN, JERUSHA, SEABORN,
CERCULE, and ELEANCE. I don’t know about Aurora, but I had a sweet, poignant feeling about the forgotten souls there. A sad beauty, intensified by such lovely names, overtook my heart. I think it was as much to honor these cemetery folk as to save and hold onto such precious names, that I thought to list them on the few blank scraps of paper in my wallet. Then, before leaving, we removed much of the dead wood and weeds obstructing the headstones. We learned later from a friend who is a history buff that the graveyard’s
FINELINES APPRAISAL, INC. 566 Portland Road • Route 302 Bridgton, Maine 04009
COLLISION CENTER Your collision specialist!
FRED PACKARD
John Carver 207-655-6144
ME certified #232 • NH certified #475
TAMMY HARTHORNE AP # 2520
Ray Hansen
(207) 647-2172 • (800) 640-8507
693-3838 │ Rt. 302, Naples, ME
ANTIQUES
Betty’s Laundry
& FLEA MARKET
“Where memories are Re-lived”
More than just Antiques Multi-Dealer Shop Dealer Spaces Available
• Attended self-service laundry • 7am-9pm • Open 7 days a week • Free WiFi & Coffee
207-744-0232
NO WAITING! Come see our new top-of-the-line facility featuring 33 washers and 40 dryers. 142 Main St., South Paris • 743-5581
Open 9-5, 7 Days a Week
bettyslaundry.com
1188 Main Street, Rt. 26, Oxford Right next to Walmart
www.route26antiques.com
~ Self Service and Drop Off Service available ~
Laura Carver 207-713-7686
lakeregiontrailers@gmail.com 32 ROOSEVELT TRAIL • CASCO, ME • 04015
Best Hookers in Town Medium Duty Towing • Lock Out Service Gas Delivery • Tire Change • Jump Start
207.890.4851 24 Hour Emergency Service
Norway, ME
