Ellsworth resident Mary Franklin, 100, receives a gift Saturday from her great, great grand nephew Lucas Oldershaw, 4, of Raymond, during a birthday celebration Saturday at Community of Christ Church in Ellsworth. Dozens of friends and extended family members attended the celebration for Franklin, who was born April 14, 1910. Franklin, a former school teacher, lived through the Great Depression, two world wars, multiple other military conflicts, and so far counts 18 different presidents of the United States that have served during her lifetime. When asked the secret to her longevity, her answer was simple: “Eating peanut butter,” she said.
A news reporter in coastal Maine for more than 20 years, Bill Trotter writes about how the Atlantic Ocean and the state's iconic coastline help to shape the lives of coastal Maine residents and visitors.... More by Bill Trotter