The news came out of U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe’s and Susan Collins’ offices late Tuesday night: $3 million for rail improvements from Auburn to Yarmouth. The funds had been tucked into a transportation bill.

Local officials got excited. They’d wanted that money. Upgraded tracks mean heavier loads for freight, faster speeds to jump-start passenger rail here.

And eventually, maybe, a high-speed rail line right from Boston to Montreal, via Auburn.

“This is wonderful news, I’ll start there,” said one person called for comment.

But the release had a mistake.

It was supposed to say Portland to Yarmouth, not Auburn to Yarmouth.

Snowe’s press secretary noticed the mistake the next day.

Auburn is going to have to wait.

There was a bit of collective disappointment.

But Don Craig, director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Auburn, said it’s still the goal to have a passenger rail stop by the Auburn airport by 2006.

-Kathryn Skelton
Snoozing

Some people might get offended if someone falls asleep at their birthday party.

But not Mr. Whoopie Pie.

The 20-pound cat didn’t seem to care one bit when two guests fell asleep in the middle of present-opening time at his birthday bash.

Mr. Whoopie Pie lives at Heritage Rehabilitation and Living Center in Winthrop.

The home’s employees, residents and other clients threw him a party last Wednesday to celebrate his second birthday. More than 20 people showed up.

The oldest guests were given front-row seats on the couch in front of the pile of presents.

By the time the third package of Whiskey Lickens was being opened, two of them had their eyes closed, their mouths open, their paper birthday hats tilted to the sides of their heads.

Mr. Whoopie Pie didn’t seem to mind. He was hiding under the bed, and his hat was nowhere to be found.

-Lisa Chmelecki
Candy, candy, candy

Beth Smith didn’t seem to care about the controversy surrounding the Rev. Doug Taylor handing out candy at Longley Elementary School in Lewiston this week.

As the 7-year-old walked home with her mother Monday afternoon, she was interested in only one thing: the candy.

Smarties were the choice that day. As the little girl popped the sweet and tart candies in her mouth, she judged them “OK.” Good enough to munch on as she walked home.

But not as good as other candy the Jesus Party has handed out.

That kind couldn’t hold a candle to Twix bars, she said.

-Lindsay Tice

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