Mechanic Falls news

MECHANIC FALLS — The trees are lit in Maisie Keene Park in downtown Mechanic Falls and holiday greetings line the streets. I woke to a dusting of snow this morning so I'd say it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

I got up early to make the best caramel popcorn ever, something I do only at Christmas time. The reason it's the best caramel popcorn ever is because the caramel does not cover the entire piece of popcorn. It's not caramel overkill like you get when you buy one of those 10-1b tins at the local box store. The product in those tins looks akin to something that's fossilized over the last 10,000 years. My caramel popcorn, however, comes from a recipe passed down through several generations of Dutch ladies and as we all know, the Dutch, with their strudels and noodles and pastries and pretty much anything loaded with mounds of butter and sugar, know what they're doing when it comes to sweets. This popcorn is buttery and caramel-ly and popcorn-ey and down right addictive. I give it as Christmas gifts. A friend of mine hides hers in the trunk of her car so she doesn't have to share it with her family. Another friend eats the whole bag before she gets home. It is truly a glorious gluttonous affair.

And that's the paradox of Christmas. This time of year we tend to overindulge with food and drink and gifts, and yet every once in awhile someone shows up and just gives with no strings attached. For example, I had a mini-geyser erupt in my basement this week so I did what any one who knows nothing about plumbing does; I panicked and called the town water department. Suddenly a gentleman appeared at my door to investigate. The geyser was a mystery at first, so he went and got another gentlemen who was able to solve the problem. He proceeded to tell me what to buy at the hardware store and how it was a very simple fix, but he must have read the "What are you talking about?" expression on my face because he said, "You know what? I'll just go down and get the part and put it in for you. That way you don't have to worry about it." And that's what he did. On his day off. And he didn't charge me for the part or his time. A small generosity, perhaps? Maybe. But the peace of mind I had after earlier envisioning a flooded basement and shorted out furnace was priceless. Thank you, Mr. Town Water Department Guy. Caramel popcorn may comfort a fleeting sweet tooth, but it's the generosity and kindness of people that truly satisfies.

It's good to see the construction is done in the center of town and the renovation at the credit union is almost complete. I'm happy to be driving over smooth roads again.

Christmas will be a week away by the time you read this. Enjoy the scramble.

E-mail me at mitsou7@msn.com.