Three Cheers for Rotary! It was indeed heartwarming to learn that Rotarians had spearheaded an effort to paint Evered Trask's home, as well as the interior of Stan Thompson's, recently. Club members and others reached out to help senior citizens in an up close and personal way.

Credit for the idea apparently goes to Paul and Chan Tagliabue, who are involved with the national Rebuilding Together project. We know very little about it, but based on what happened here, can only say that it surely is a great concept if it suggests starting right in your own community to brighten the lives of your friends and neighbors. What better way to help your fellow man than to start right here at home with projects such as these?

We'll wager a guess that the recipients of these kind deeds weren't the only ones who went to bed happy at the end of the day. The Rotarians and others who participated, as well as the businesses who so generously donated time and materials, should all have felt a great sense of self-satisfaction at what they had accomplished.

Rotary has always been a generous supporter of worthwhile local projects and organizations, and it took another giant step forward with its latest undertaking. Way to go, Rotary!

- Mary Brewer

Route 27: Its Future Depends A Great Deal on You

We live in a world of change. Some changes we like, some we don't. One thing we have learned, over time, is that it never hurts to try to look into the future and plan ahead.

The Route 27 Corridor Committee, which includes repre-sentatives from Edgecomb, Booth-bay, and Boothbay Harbor, is trying to make sure that what happens along Route 27 in the years to come is in keeping with what the residents of the three towns want. Committee members are attempting to take a hard look at some of the problems which already exist, such as: bad intersections, spots where entering and exiting traffic poses a danger, the lack of passing zones, bike and pedestrian dangers, blind spots, special areas which residents would like to see remain undeveloped, etc.

That's where the public comes in. The committee wants input from motorists, landowners, and all interested citizens who use Route 27 south of Route One on a regular basis. There are probably a million and one complaints and/or con-structive suggestions which could be voiced, and now is the time to share them.

Residents of the three towns need to consider whether or not they want some parts of Route 27 designated as residential, and others opened up for commercial enterprise. In areas approved for development, should there be limits on what can go where, architectural guidelines, setbacks, where parking lots should go, etc. While some new businesses bend over backward to "fit in" with their neighborhood and be considerate of those around them, others are governed only by what the town's ordinances require. We remember all too well attempts to encourage the owner to "beautify" the small mall, now known as the Meadow Mall, when it was first being constructed, such as a shingled front, landscaping to break up the hot-topped parking lot, etc. Most suggestions fell on deaf ears, because they cost money. A few rules in writing would have made them necessary, and townspeople wouldn't have had to wait years for the new owners - Gardiner Savings - to come along with their strong "good neighbor" philosophy, and begin immediately to do whatever they could to improve the appearance of the mall. We'd all agree in the short time they've owned the property, the makeover has been startling, and very much appreciated by resident and visitor alike. What we all need to remember is that some developers are strictly dollars and cents folks; if the rules don't require spending anything on aesthetics, don't count on them to do it.

It's entirely possible that the three towns differ in their opinions as to what they'd like their portion of Route 27 to be like in the years to come; that's why the meetings are being held in each individual town. In Boothbay Harbor, for instance, from the town line just south of Boothbay Center to the Route 96 intersection, much of the area is already commercialized, while closer to Route One, the highway is more rural. Edgecomb residents will meet Tuesday, May 14, at their town hall, Boothbay residents on Wednesday, May 15 at their town hall (at the Railway Village), and Boothbay Harbor on Thursday, May 16, at their municipal building. All three meetings are at 7 p.m. Try to attend the meeting in your town. After all, Route 27 is the gateway to our area, and we should care what happens to it in the years to come. Commercial developers are bound to have their sights on it. Good planning never hurt anyone.

- Mary Brewer