Researchers in Europe have determined that a town in Maine is actually part of Southwestern France.By just what mechanism a thousand or so hectares of French soil wound up occupying what was once the Town of Leeds, Maine, is still a mystery. Researchers believe that some sort of powerful space-time event was involved, probably in the middle of the night, or during High School Basketball week, when no one was paying attention.
This mysterious transvergence eventually came to light last year when a group of cyclists taking part in something called the "Tour de Lacs" passed through the town of Leeds, Maine, and stopped to admire fields of sunflowers - much like those that dot the French countryside.
Some time later, a French bicycle tour operator, looking on the internet for the perfect cycling image to promote his new touring company in Southwestern France, came upon the sunflower image and quickly contacted the group's weblog, seeking permission to use their photo. He even sent along a mock up of his ad, promising his customers "stunning countryside."
The cyclists briefly considered holding out for an offer of a free tour, or perhaps a 15 lb wheel of cheese, but finally relented and granted their permission for the use of the image. Curiously, Leeds has noticed an increase in the number of foreign bicycle tourists, stopping to puzzle over their maps and ask directions.
The French team of researchers has taken this into account, and they are looking for evidence that the town of Leeds, Maine, or its cosmic counterpart, has been transported in turn to the French countryside. To date, they have begun to focus their efforts on a small village on the outskirts of Manzac-sur-Vern, where, it is said, the residents speak with a strange accent, and the village store prepares popular sandwiches in bagettes that they call "les Italiens." They promise to have more information on this puzzle as it becomes known.