Mechanic Falls town news

MECHANIC FALLS - When you read this the election will have taken place and we will have a new governor, and quite possibly many new faces in the seats of government in our glorious state of Maine. Americans will have participated in a process, that although no longer unique to us, isn’t a reality in most of the global community, which includes people going through puberty. Invariably, on days I subbed in History class at Elm Street School, a junior high student would lament, “Why do we have to know this stuff, it’s sooo stupid.”

To which I would ask the ignorant student, and by this I mean uninformed, not the aforementioned “stupid,” “Have any of your family members been put before the firing squad because of who they voted for?” This always got the attention of the entire class, because let’s face it, the only words they heard were “firing squad.” My point being, we get to pick our leaders without fear of jail or death. We’re so used to it we’ve forgotten how amazing it is. No matter where you come down on the side of politics, there can be no argument that, in its purity, the democratic process is the really the best system going. The worst we have to endure is the barrage of political ads and the myriad of candidate signs and messages dotting the landscape like little deranged mushrooms from an Alice in Wonderland scene.

Behind the scenes of the Big Picture and people with Loud Voices a difference is being made in people's lives with little fanfare. It’s an open secret really, something that’s been happening for 13 years in Mechanic Falls. Every October the Vineyard Church turns its parking lot into the mother of all garages. Dads and teenagers and moms and little kids all gather to repair and winterize cars for single moms in the area for free. Stations are set up and mechanics are assigned for each car. Another station is set up to clean the car inside and out. Inside the church foyer, chairs are arranged for conversation and relaxing, and next to these are tables full of pastries and soups and sandwiches. The smell of coffee and hot chocolate permeate the room as women talk and get to know each other. Women receive a blessing, lives are changed and not one political sign anywhere.

Please e-mail me at mitsou7@msn.com. Anything happening out there in your church, school or club? Let me know. I would love to write about it.