Camille Myers Breeze inspects a smudge sample from the painted silk banner hanging at the Hallowell Fire Department on Wednesday. Breeze, of Museum Textile Services of Andover, MA, assessed the condition of the banner that is believed to date from 1910 to determine its condition and work warranted to restore it. The banner was carried during processions at musters by the Hallowell Firemen’s Association “It’s one of the nicest painted silk banners I’ve ever seen,” Myers Breeze said. The tiger depicted in the banner was the name of the department’s engine at the turn of the 20th century.

Justine Fontes strums a ukulele on Thursday outside the Readfield Post Office, where she is serving as the relief postmaster. The stringed music serenades customers collecting mail and people walking down the main street of Readfield, according to Fontes. “04355 is the best little zip in Maine,” Fontes said.