Mechanic Falls column

MECHANIC FALLS - My great-great-grandmother was from Ireland. Apparently when she was a young woman she was whisked away to America for killing a man in self-defense. Years later she killed another man for attempting to come into her house uninvited. She passed this fighting spirit (a.k.a. "short-temper") onto her daughter, my great-grandmother. She was known to wield a frying pan to get her point across. Fortunately she reserved this method of persuasion for my great-grandfather. One day a gentleman came to her house trying to collect on the poll tax for the town. (For those of you who aren't familiar with the poll tax from days of yore, you could always Google it.) My great-grandmother put her hands on her hips, widened her stance and declared, "Ah don't have a pole so ah'm naht payin' no pole tax! So be off wit ya!"

Every family has a story. They get told over and over, giving us a place in history. I'm asking for your help in such a matter. Kevin Gallagher from Missouri has expressed a need for information regarding his grandfather, Kenneth Welch. Ken and his wife Barbara resided here in town and Ken operated Ken's Barber Shop on Main Street in town for 50 years. If anyone has any information about Ken and his barber shop please contact the Mechanic Falls Historical Society. Information can be mailed there at 64 Elm Street, Mechanic Falls, ME 04256. You may also e-mail your information to nepesons@myfairpoint.net

Speaking of the Mechanic Falls Historical Society, it will be hosting the group Everything Paranormal of New England on November 13 at 3 p.m. Now, I'm not one to dabble in this sort of activity. I have enough trouble dealing with the people around me that are alive.

The paranormal group under the leadership of founder Renee Alling, recently spent several nights in the town library and the church building which houses the historical society. Both buildings were constructed during the 19th century. The group will divulge the results of its investigative work of paranormal activity at these two sites. This event is free and light refreshments will be served. That's unless the ghosts of Mechanic Falls Past have eaten them all.

As for me, I'm keeping my eye on the man who walks down my street almost every afternoon with a rifle in his hand. He seems nice. I'm pretty positive he's not related to my great-great-grandmother. E-mail me at mitsou7@msn.com.