his is a picture of a rabid skunk. Notice the unkempt fur and mangy appearance, as well as the hunched-up body posture. Rabid animals often appear to be drunk, staggering around in an uncoordinated manner. Photo and information courtesy of www.WildSkunkRescue.com.by Elisa Hawkes
Coastal Journal staff

BATH — A woodchuck killed by a dog on Saturday, April 28, tested positive for rabies. The residents at the north end of High Street who reported the incident said their terrier had killed the animal after it had entered their yard. Bath Animal Control Officer Ann Harford responded to the scene and collected the woodchuck.

The resident said they had not observed the woodchuck’s behavior prior to the fight, and do not know if it was acting strangely. They said the dog had not killed animals in the past. 

The woodchuck was taken to the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Lab in Augusta, where it tested positive for rabies. The pet’s owner was notified, and is taking the necessary action to ensure the terrier remains healthy. The dog’s rabies vaccination was current and it received a booster shot. The pet will be kept under observation for 45 days. Bath Police Lt. Stan Cielinski said rabies cases are not uncommon in Bath; however, this is the first confirmed case of rabies this year.

Asthma Nurse Educator Meredith Smithson, RN, works with a young patient to measure lung function.by Elisa Hawkes
Coastal Journal staff

BRUNSWICK — Mid Coast Hospital has launched a new asthma management program to help people in the region cope with this increasingly common condition. According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (MCDC), “Maine has some of the highest rates of asthma in the country. Approximately 10 percent of Maine adults currently have asthma compared to the 7.8 percent nationally,” pointing to the need for asthma education for people battling the condition.

It is impossible to pinpoint the exact reason for these higher rates, says the MCDC, but there are numerous contributing factors, such as Maine’s geographical location, commonly called the “tail-pipe” of the United States. 

by Elisa Hawkes
Coastal Journal Staff

DAMARISCOTTA — On Friday, May 11, around 6:30 p.m., people from all over the midcoast will gather at the Round Top Farm for a Coffee House concert, just as people have gathered in such venues for as long as there have been people, to share a little music, a little food, some hot beverages – and to build a sense of community. 

If it’s cold, the event will take place in the Round Top Farmhouse Gallery. But if it’s warm enough, the event will take place in the Darrows Barn. The Coffee House is run by the Damariscotta River Association (DRA), who invite musicians, singers, poets and other performers to sign up and demonstrate their talents during the open mic portion of the Coffee House. The stage is open to everyone in the community, and the acts are often quite good. After a 15-minute break, the featured act will take the stage from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. 

ROCKLAND — A public open house at the new headquarters of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends of Maine’s Seabird Islands is scheduled for May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The interior renovations to the building are complete; however, the exhibits are still in the process of being developed. Visitors may join at any time during the open house for a tour or to partake in any of the listed events.

The art gallery will be open throughout the open house, and will be featuring watercolor artist Meryl Henderson, wood carver Hank Tyler, wildlife photographer Kirk Rogers, and historical photographs of Rockland by Elmer Montgomery.