Are you trying to button up the house this fall to save on your heating or energy bills? We have two devices that could help you.
The first one is called a Minitemp.
Pull the trigger, aim the beam at walls, ceilings, floors, and foundations (but not people nor at reflective surfaces such as windows) and find where the cold spots are, where insulation is missing, where outside air is penetrating. This point and shoot gadget can be found in our catalog under “Minitemp” and can be reserved or borrowed just like a book.
The second is the Kill-A-Watt – an electricity usage monitor that you can plug in between your electrical outlet and any appliance to measure exactly how much electricity each device is using. Provided by EfficiencyMaine http://www.efficiencymaine.com/ it, too, is available for checkout.
It happened this day : August 1, 1939. At the brink of World War II, the battleship U.S.S. New York stopped in Portland Harbor, preparing to patrol the North Atlantic.
On August 1, 1939, the U.S.S. New York anchored in Portland Harbor to give the men on board a week’s liberty, apparently much to the delight of the local girls, or, as an effusive reporter called them, “Portland’s pulchritudinous lassies.” The battleship carried 371 Naval Academy midshipmen, 755 enlisted men, and 57 officers who had been engaged in training exercises at sea.
The photo above was taken near the Grand Trunk Railroad pier, along eastern Commercial Street.
While the midshipmen enjoyed a tea dance at the Portland Country Club, readers of the Evening Express and the Portland Press Herald learned that the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, had a “dark but still hopeful view of the international picture” (see story in the far right column). Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement would end with Hitler’s invasion of Poland, exactly one month after these photographs were taken. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939.
During the war, the U.S.S. New York participated in convoy operations. Once the war had ended, she served as a target during atomic bomb tests in the Marshall Islands in July of 1946, after which she was too radioactive for further service and was decommissioned.
Here are the original camera images which were used in the Portland Evening Express article, showing crew members of the U.S.S. New York plying their musical talents, and baking in the large ship’s kitchen.
Above: Exercising on rowing machines on deck.
Below: Writing letters home, and catching up on reading, aboard the U.S.S. New York
For a hint of what life was like for our midshipmen in 1860, stop by the Portland Room and take a look at the Regulations of the United States Naval Academy (call number 359.0071 U58 1860)
As we reach the weekend that follows 4th-of-July weekend, it’s time to celebrate Maine’s own and much-loved Moxie!Moxie Fest is this weekend, as always, in Lisbon Falls, Maine. In fact, the root beer-like soda, invented in 1884 by Dr. Augustin Thompson (of Union, Maine), was declared the Maine State Beverage in 2005. Maine is surely the heart of Moxie country, and we all know that Maine libraries have moxie!
Moxie and Monument Square, with the Library at center.
To help celebrate the annual Moxie Festival, here are some images to encourage the enjoyment and study (yes, research is enjoyable, too!) of the fabled 19th century remedy / modern soft drink.
Moxie can surely be researched in the Portland Room, which produces the Maine News Index, navigating through microfilmed newspapers and hardcopy local periodical imprints.
As well, here are 2 popular Moxie references we have here in the Library:
Snapshots from the Moxie Parade, in 2011
The Moxie Mobile, which is actually steered from a “horseback” seat!
Moxie Man stopped long enough for me to take his picture- and to offer his prescription to cure all that ails!
All of Lisbon Falls gets into the spirit !
During Moxie Fest, the Kennebec Fruit Company (the Moxie birthplace store) serves Moxie ice cream and splendid Moxie floats.
From the Portland Public Library Archives
Checking out the Moxie supply, in 1947.
Moxie Fest, in 1984. Reading up on the goods!
Moxie Fest, 1984. At the wheel of the Moxie Mobile.
Moxie Fest, 1984. Moxie expert, Mr. Frank Anicetti, packing up a purchase at Kennebec Fruit Company store.
Willie Nelson, playing a concert at Portland’s Cumberland County Civic Center, June 21, 1985. Willie’s Moxie hat tells us he knows what’s what!
Have a Wicked Good Weekend !
Whether you’re writing, reading, or enjoying parades and the outdoors, enjoy-
and know you’re always welcome at the Portland Public Library !
