REAR VIEW

The Sugarloaf Irregular issue Nov. 31, 1976 Vol. 10, No. 4 is the "vole" issue.

Among the odds and ends that fill Page one, is an article titled, "Carr-tax-it Valley taxes shoot upward." Introducing the sticker shock Valley residents experienced with that year's taxes, it read, "Large increases across the board brought screams and howls of anguish from enraged citizens." Asking where the increases came from, the article answered, "Nowhere around here." It pointed out that of the 19.5 mil tax rate, 16 "went right down the road. Our local government has been given the thankless task of bagman for the grasping fingers of both county and state authorities." In 1974 the town's valuation was $6,537,390; in 1976, the time of the article, it was $14,829,421. The state education tax in '74 was $16,446 and was $181,751 in '76. The town's bite in '74 was $19,400 and was $25,580 in '76.

"Bloodshed in Kingfield," headlined a news brief that began, "Count Dracula never had it as good as the American Red Cross last Friday afternoon when 55 pints of blood were collected from the people of Kingfield."

The headline "Irregular opens newsstand on Bog Road" topped a snowy photo of Darby Monahan looking at her 1976 Fiat (with less than 400 miles on it) off the road and the hatch open. "As the car spun off the road, the rear popped open and spewed old Irregulars all over the road. Mike Monahan, your reporter and also in charge of distribution, figured they were distributed enough and decided to call it a day as both vehicles were towed to their resting places." No one was hurt, but both cars involved in the accident were severely damaged.

Despite claiming to tell the reader "all there is to know about voles," there appeared only a skimpy 100-word note under the headline "Drole vole scroll." It begins, "Whether or not they exist (we have yet to meet someone who has actually seen one), the voles have their day once a year at Sugarloaf. Protected by an Act of the State Legislature and specially constructed environmental protections up on Sugarloaf Mountain, the little critters are hypothetically up there romping and frolicking this very moment."

Nancy Lubin, of North New Portland, earned a profile in this issue for her weaving. Lubin had been weaving for two years and had been a "Valley rat" for four or five. Originally from Massachusetts, she had worked in Kingfield, Carrabassett and Sugarloaf. She made rugs, bedspreads, scarves, shirts and other home furnishings on her three looms.

Sears was advertising in this issue as "Your Headquarters for the Latest Ski Fashions." The closest stores were in Augusta and Brunswick. Bud in Madrid was offering firewood, cut and split, for $60 a cord.