having a ball?

Imagine - 800 people attending a ball in Wiscasset to celebrate the town's 200 th anniversary. It happened - and it was in 1960. In last week's issue we ran a photograph from the 1960 annual town report of the Bicentennial Committee who put together a week-long celebration.

Just two years from now, Wiscasset will be celebrating its 250 th anniversary, and folks are already beginning to talk about it. Imagine what could happen if the same talents and energy that pulled off a ball with 800 people 50 years ago could be gathered again. Public and private entities could work together to put a spotlight on Wiscasset that would boost community pride and spirit, give us all some fun events, give us a glimpse of days gone by, and give the rest of the world an idea of why this is such a special place.

Consider the resources we have to work with: the Prettiest Village in Maine; a great library; a great community center; the Morris Farm; the oldest courthouse in the state; the Sortwell Forest; our own airport; a vintage train; a primary school, a middle school, a high school and an adult education program; a Grange; an American Legion; the Maine Art Gallery; some of the best eighteenth century antique businesses in New England; Tucker Castle and the Nickels-Sortwell House - two Historic New England homes that are open to the public; The Musical Wonder House; the old Lincoln County Jail and jailor's house; the waterfront, the harbor, the yacht club and the Sheepscot River; great little restaurants; the Chewonki Foundation; the race track; the Old Powder House; the old town cannon; churches; the Senior Center; Coastal Enterprises, Inc; the Sunken Garden; inns and motels; the Chewonki Campground; the Lincoln County Historical Association, and the 19 towns in Lincoln County - yes, it's the county's 250 th anniversary, too!

We could have a ball, too!