Merrill Centennial Celebration a holiday success
To the editor:
We wish to thank everyone who contributed to make the Christmas Concert to benefit the Merrill Centennial Celebration at the Methodist Church Building a success. Thank you to all who decorated the building so beautiful, cooked scrumptious goodies and served the goodies to everyone after the concert.
A special thank you to Randy Rockwell for heading up the talent portion of the show. The audience was treated to a wide range of Christmas music including Christmas carols by Randy Rockwell, Bob Locke, Bethany Collins, Logan Markie, Megan Russell, Krista Nelson, Linda Williams, Dale Willette, Lorraine Cullins and Buster Prosser.
The audience also enjoyed special music by Elvis, several selections by the Ecumenical Bell Choir of Houlton, a Christmas Poem Reading by Mrs. John Seiler, a skit by Christmas Elves and Mrs. Santa and a devotional by Pastor Scott Seiler.
The evening was topped off with a tribute to our Troops who will be home for Christmas in their hearts only – which received a standing ovation. Also special thanks to Sergeant Ralph Bartman IV.
Candy Nevers,
Alberta McDonald and the Merrill Centennial Committee
Credit where credit’s due
To the editor:
A recent insert in the Houlton Pioneer Times reprinted the all-time iconic Christmas poem, originally published anonymously in 1823, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”) and credited it, as has been standard practice for over a century and a half, to a Rev. Clement Clarke Moore. I write to point out that this accreditation is very likely incorrect and the poem’s actual author, Major Henry Livingston, Jr., a former officer in the Continental Army in our revolutionary days, should be reinstated. How so?
The evidence surfaced in the book “Author Unknown — On the Trail of Anonymous”, (2000) by Donald Foster, a well-known linguistic sleuth. He devoted the book’s final chapter, “Yes, Virginia, there WAS a Santa Claus” to unearthing the real author of this lovely children’s poem.
Foster’s story is a true whodunit that began quite unexpectedly. His research was meticulous. He wrote his fast-paced story with great insight, sprinkled with good humor, such that it makes a real page-turner for anyone caught up in the joyfulness of this holiday season. It’s too good a “read” to divulge the high points, so get hold of the book, and turn to Foster’s chapter 6. His story enhances the little poem’s Spirit of Christmas.
Perhaps the reason why this revelation hasn’t caught on more widely is to be found in entrenched patterns of supposed authorship being difficult to dislodge. I therefore urge you or any publisher who may reprint “A Visit from St. Nicholas” to credit its true author: the spirited, ebullient Major Henry Livingston, Jr., 1748-1828, of Poughkkeepsie, NY.
Gary M. Boone
Presque Isle
Governor’s salary is lowest in nation
To the editor:
I received the new TIME almanac for 2010 today. It has tons of world-wide information and while I was thumbing through it, I stopped at the section marked “State Officers and Legislature”.
I was surprised to learn that Governor John E. Baldacci is the lowest paid governor in the 50 states. Governor Baldacci’s salary is $70,000. The next lowest paid is Governor Ted Kulongoski of Oregon. His salaray is $93,600.
I also noticed that in every other state, the governor is the highest paid officeholder. In Maine, Attorney General, Janet T. Mills’ salary is $92,248; Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s salary is $83,844 and Treasurer David G. Lamoine also earns $83,844.
Elbridge Gagnon
Houlton
