Albion Neighborhood News, Week of August 4, 2016

by Mary Lee Rounds

Busy weekend in Albion. All of the pageantry leading up  to field day with the selection of the queen/princess of field day, the parade,  auction, chicken barbeque, other food sales, lawn sale items and games for kids filled much of the week.

It is my understanding there will be more available about the winners, etc., next week so I will hold off on it and give you all more then with  pictures hopefully.

It has been a hot sultry summer, wells are drying, gardens are dying and I have never seen such lawns as brown as this. Even those nice lawns in the past are brown.  I think we need to pray for rain or get a rainmaker to come to town.  I have watched storms go both sides of the ridge and never deliver us a drop.  That also happened when we first moved here around 30 years ago.  Let’s hope for a long slow ground soaking rain.

Have a great week, stay cool and hydrated.

Observations while waiting for tomatoes to ripen

by Roland D. Hallee

The drive from work in South China to my summer camp in Vassalboro is short – 4.7 miles, 10 minutes. But, along the way, I have made some observations that kind of make me think.

For instance, I came across a flock of turkeys in a field on the Nelson Road the other day and thought nothing of it. Then, it hit me.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the sight of a wild turkey was eye opening, generally causing me to stop the truck, get out and create a Kodak moment. Nowadays, I see turkeys and it’s just another sighting. Turkeys have become so common place that we don’t react like we used to.

As a matter of fact, in the last three days alone, I have almost collided with two that jumped out of the brush on the side of the road, and decided they had the right of way.

I guess you could apply the old saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” What used to be novel, is now irritating.page12pict3

A mouse at work

On the morning of July 4, during my vacation, I was sitting on my deck with a cup of coffee, with a strong case of the thousand yard stare. I noticed some movement out of the corner of my eye, and saw a field mouse sitting on the barbecue pit. From there it  ran into the wood pile that is located nearby, and disappeared into its center. A few minutes later, it emerged, jumped onto the pit and proceeded to the hole of one of the cement blocks. It gazed around as if to make sure nothing was observing its movements, dropped its cargo of leaves and bark, and proceeded down the hole. It then popped its head back out of the hole, grabbed what was obviously nest-building material, and hauled them down the hole.

page12pict2It then came out of the hole, ran back into the wood pile, and repeated the steps. I sat and watched it for approximately 10 minutes, and it must have made at least a dozen trips in that time frame. The appearance of the black lab on the scene caused the mouse to retreat to the wood pile for cover.

I went over to the barbecue pit and peered into the hole, and sure enough, the mouse was in the process of building a nest.

Fat cat

While sitting in my screen house one evening we heard some scrurrying around the fireplace. At first we summized that it was probably either a raccoon or skunk. Upon closer examination, we saw what is perhaps the fattest house cat I have ever seen. Apparently, during its nocturnal travels, the cat visits many camps and gobbles up whatever grub it can find.

Circle of Life

I was sitting on my couch one day, catching up on the some reading when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw an extremely quick movement outside through the glass, sliding doors. I put the reading material down just in time to see a cat haul a chipmunk out of the fire pit, and page12pict4proudly pranced off with it in its mouth. Initially I was a little irritated that the cat couldn’t leave that little guy alone. My wife and I always get some pleasure watching the chipmunks go about their business, whether scrounging under the bird feeders for some discarded seeds, or playfully chasing each other around. Then I realized I had just witnessed nature’s circle of life in its purest form. It was the second time I witnessed something like that this summer.

Whether it’s turkeys, mice, or a common house cat, it’s simply amazing to watch Mother Nature’s creatures, large and small, go about their chores, foraging for their next meal, the hunter vs. the hunted, or preparing for winter, even in July.

I’m Just Curious: A little fun

by Debbie Walker

By now in our relationship, you know that I love time and money saving tips. I really love the odd ball ones and that’s what I’m studying tonight.

The following information I found in my 2011 “Who Knew?” calendar, plus a few words of my own (of course). The calendar is by Jeanne Boosline Lubin and Bruce Lubin.

Hope you enjoy them:

Got a gluing project and it got messy? Rub a little WD-40 into dried glue and wipe clean. (Where was that bit of news when I glued my fingers together?!)

Got a white dog that gets stains under its eyes? Rub a little vinegar into the fur to remove yellow or brown spots. (You try it first and call me if it works. Wonder if it would work on skin for our dark circles under our eyes?!)

Got a mop that requires replacement cloths? Use baby wipes instead of pricy cloths. Rinse the wipes off before using; they’ll get your floor just as clean (No babies in this house, if I brought those in it would scare Ken into heading for Alaska!)

Got slivers of soap? Cut a slice in the side of a body sponge and slip them inside. Lather up and rinse. They say you’ll get so many suds you probably won’t need to repeat. (How dirty would you have to get to need a repeat job?)

Got grout stains? Use sandpaper between the tiles, don’t scratch tiles. (Know what works great and is easier than sandpaper? Clorox has that tube for taking out stains. Works wonders on grout. This one I have experience with. Kills that mildew crap easily!!)

Got too much dressing on your salads? Put the dressing inside a baby sippy cup and see how that works. (I go buying a sippy cup AND baby wipes Ken will certainly be running!!)

FYI – The color of the White House isn’t just tradition – it’s energy efficient. (Who knew the founding fathers were so “Green” when they chose that color, their choices were probably either white or barn red!!)

Got used tea bags? Let them dry, cut them open and mix with your kitty litter to keep it smelling fresh. (If you don’t use enough tea bags, call mom, she could save you plenty!)

Got diaper rash? Make a paste with about 1/4  cup of petroleum jelly and one tablespoon of corn starch then spread on irritated skin. (Ken honest, there will be no babies in this house unless they are brief visitors!!!)

Got a squeaky door? Spray shaving cream on offending hinge? (Vegetable spray, WD-40 and coconut oil work too!)

Got old wallpaper you want to come off? Use a spray bottle of vinegar and saturate first. Wait a few minutes, it’ll peel right off. (You’d have to wait a few minutes, get out and get some fresh air!)

FYI – don’t use cruise control when it is raining. It could cause you to have an accident. (Retired truck driver Ken says so! And so do manufacturers.)

Got smelly feet? Break up a few sage leaves and spread them inside your shoes. It’ll kill bacteria that causes foot stink. Cut down on how much you perspire by drinking sage tea and give it several weeks for results.

Got toenail fungus? Soak toes in the darkest beer you can find. The yeast attracts the fungus out. They say it’s important not to drink any beer during this treatment. It’ll reverse the effect. (Ken thinks you ought to be able to drink the dark beer and heal from the inside out like drinking sage tea for smelly feet!)

I’m just curious if you have any unusual tips?

Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com subject line: A Little Fun   Tootles!!!!!! (I decided I like that one.)

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Composer Wolfgang Mozart Conductor Cesar Franck Author John Sandford

Mozart: Abduction from the Seraglio – Ferenc Fricsay conducting the RIAS Orchestra and Chorus, various soloists; Audite 23 413, 2 CDs, recorded 1949.

Mozart’s most well known operas are Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, Marriage of Figaro, and Cosi Fan Tutte, while the Abduction has

Wolfgang Mozart

Wolfgang Mozart

occupied a more minor position. To me, it could easily replace Don Giovanni, which I feel is long-winded and overrated. In fact, every aria and chorus in the whole opera has melodic appeal of a most engaging quality which the others, as great as they are, simply don’t sustain.

The plot centers on a seraglio or Turkish harem and  focusses on the rescue of one of three women who have been sold to a Sultan by pirates. But the tone of the opera is one of comedy and joy.

The performance is excellent on all levels- singing, playing, conducting, characterization, etc. And the 1949 performance, originally intended for broadcast on German radio, has been remastered for cd with the utmost clarity and presence. One could easily mistake it for a more recent recording. It is also still in print and reasonably priced through such Internet sites as the  Amazon vendors and the Berkshire Record Outlet.

One monarch once criticized the opera to Mozart as having too many notes; the composer replied, “It has as many notes as it needs.”

Franck: Redemption – Michel Plasson conducting Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse with chorus and soloists; Musical Heritage Society S 160605, CD, recorded 1994.

Cesar Franck

Cesar Franck

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. Scored for narrator, soloist, chorus and orchestra, it has the characteristics of a mass or oratorio of a devotional quality, similar to Verdi’s Requiem Mass, Beethoven Missa Solemnis and the Mozart Requiem, The composer Cesar Franck (1822-1890), after completing it in 1871, considered the work a tone poem, which is for orchestra, as is a symphony, but has the other label instead. The recording of the full score is the first one, unlike recordings of the opening Prelude which were the norm previously. It is also top-notch and still very much available.

Franck’s fame was  based on his gifts as an organist and he was the lead one at Saint Clotilde Church in Paris for at least 3 decades. His father recognized his musical gifts when  Franck was a boy but proved to be such an arrogant,  domineering jackass  even throughout his young adulthood that, when he was courting his future wife, her parents saw the situation with Papa and offered to let him stay with them; the reason being that they really liked him but understandably wanted to keep an eye on him and their daughter.

A suspense novel.

John Sandford: – Deadline; G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014, 388 pages.

John Sandford

John Sandford

I have covered one or two thrillers by John Sandford that were centered around the uncannily brilliant Minneapolis/Saint Paul investigator Lucas Davenport the protagonist of the more than 25 novels of the Prey series. Deadline features Davenport’s colleague Virgil Flowers, who covers the upcountry Minnesota lakeside/sticks region. I have read one or two of the previous Flowers novels but didn’t find them   hanging around in my memory.

This title is different and significantly more exciting – I gulped it in three days! There are basically three different situations Flowers is confronting, a series of mysterious dognappings, a neighborhood meth lab and a very murderous local schoolboard stealing millions over a period of years. The crimes and perpetrators do overlap, mostly unwittingly, with the schoolboard providing the most narrative interest.

But enough of the hints. A must read!

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of July 28, 2016

Katie Ouiletteby Katie Ouilette

WALLS. a recent description of Skowhegan was “a whole lot of energy and a ton of fun,” and,  for sure, Skowhegan Downtown is about to welcome one of the outstanding happenings that has gone on for years and it will begin at the famous and historic Skowhegan Fairgrounds on Thursday, July 28, and end on Saturday, July 30, with the Artisan Bread Fair.  O.K. WALLS, this is a quote from THE Kennebec Explorer:  “it’s an eating event dedicated solely to ‘Real Bread’ and everything associated with this most ancient and central staple (even tasty pastry).  Don’t miss a single crumb.

WALLS, this is the perfect time to explain Maine Grains that Amber Lambke was inspired to bring to Somerset County’s historic Old County Jail.  First of all, several years ago, Amber was the person who brought The Kneading Conference to Skowhegan by reaching out to folks in charge of The Kneading Conference from California.  Remember, faithful readers, when the first Kneading Conference was held at The Tewksbury Center, on The Island in Skowhegan?  Well, interest grew and grew and now the Skowhegan Fairgrounds is the chosen location.  Yes, WALLS, we are so fortunate that Amber has become an important member of our community that has known the pitfalls of loss of downtown businesses and, thanks to Amber and others who are dedicated to making Skowhegan downtown great, again, this wonderful town is growing through those dedicated efforts.

Many thanks must go to many leaders of our community in this issue, faithful readers.  On the July 19, MainStreet’s Executive
Director Kristina Cannon, planned a meeting that leaders throughout the community attended.  Welcomed was a member of the board of selectmen, representatives of schools and hospitals in Skowhegan.  Representatives of organizations such as Rotary, Lions, Skowhegan Heritage Council, and the many businesses that have chosen to be here.  Need I say that we must give Andy and Donna, of Russakoff Jewelers, many accolades for being one of our historic mainstays (the business having been started by Andy’s grandfather Sussman when he immigrate to Skowhegan).  Also attending this momentous meeting were folks who help others cope, such as interim executive director of our Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director Jason Gayne, of Hospice.  WALLS, that meeting was for all attending to say what they now want Skowhegan to become and the ideas flowed, for sure.  The meeting was held at our Rennaisance Building and Alton Whittemore, for whom ‘Alton’s Way’ is named, would be proud.

Other events are planned way into August, faithful readers, and WALLS will keep you informed, for sure.  And, have a happy summer!

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of July 28, 2016

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

The Solon High School Alumni Association held its annual meeting on July 16 with 65 alumni and guests present. The class of 1966 celebrated its 50th anniversary with two members; Mark Rogers and Richard Poulin. Emma Pluntke  received a scholarship of $ 1,000. Others celebrating were Alice Heald, 76th anniversary; Arlene Meader and Albert Starbird, 75th; Mary Heald Bishop, 73rd; Marie Poulin, 67th; Jack McCarty, 65th; Pat McCarty Coro, 62nd; Betty Tolman Smith, 60th; Doug Hayden, Chloe Hayden Collins, Ann Rogers Edwards, 58th; and James Tolman, 57th.

Jay S. Hoar, a former teacher of Solon attended.

The last class to graduate from Solon High School was the class of 1969. This class always shows up in large numbers to celebrate. This year they had seven members show up to celebrate 47 years. They were Reggie Padham, Arthur Myers, Penny Rogers McQuilkin, Linda Stickney Steward, Dana Parsons, Bobbie Tewkbury Proctor and Jo Rancourt Holden.

Officers are Ann Jackson, president, Reggie Padham, vice president, Linda French, secretary, and Brenda Whitney Padham, treasurer. Alice Heald is news committee, Judy Bishop, lunch committee, and Kathy Swett, awards.

Class members traveled from California, Betty Smith; Arizonia, James Tolman; Oklahoma, Richard Poulin; Florida, Mark Rogers and Bobbi Proctor.

An auction was held and $415 was raised for the scholarship fund. This money was matched by Reggie and Brenda Padham. They wanted to insure people that their money would be safe and used for what it was intended for. Betty Heald was the auctioneer.

A luncheon was held and catered by the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club under the direction of Eleanor Pooler.

Sorry, but this is all I could gather up for news this week, with people not wanting any of their personal news printed anymore, it makes it tough. But…Percy is still able to help out with some pleasing memoirs…May you have enough happiness to keep you sweet. Enough trials to keep you strong, Enough sorrow to keep you human; Enough hope to keep you happy; Enough failure to keep you humble; Enough success to keep you eager; Enough friends to give you comfort; Enough wealth to meet your ne3eds; Enough enthusiasm to look forward; Enough faith to banish depression; Enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.

Mark Rogers and Richard Poulin

Mark Rogers, left, of Florida, and Richard Poulin, of Oklahoma, were the only two members of the Solon’s class of 1966 to attend their 50th reunion, on July 23. Photo courtesy of Marilyn Rogers-Bull

Albion Neighbhood News, Week of July 28, 2016

by Mary Lee Rounds

There are probably less than 10 pharses in the U.S. that will turn your blood cold. “I want a divorce….,” “You are pregnant”…  and “You have shingles…”  The dreaded diagnosis most of us have heard of and know someone with them.  I must be falling into that age group where it becomes more prevalent. I heard that exact diagnosis this week.  Yes, there is pain and disgusting looking skin, but the itching is what I can’t deal with.  And as with all itches the orders are “Don’t Scratch!”

I came down with this on Tuesday so have not paid much attention to town. Field Day is May 28-30. That I do know.

Have a great week.

I’m Just Curious: Words, words, and more words

by Debbie Walker

Last week I shared some southern sayings with you so…… this week I have collected northeastern sayings. I got some from friends, family and of course odd sites on the internet. I’ve been chuckling all week with all kinds of sayings and terms. Such as, “whole 9 yards” and “pleased as punch” that I will share with you another week. (I just love words!!) And remember some of this came from “Outa Staters”! Let me ask for forgiveness now, I never want to insult or embarrass you.

Here is what I believe are New England (?) words:

Leaf Peepers – people who come to New England to see fall foliage and are usually found driving 20 MPH when you are in a hurry.

Outa staters – anyone who wasn’t born here (probably the same in every state, just that some states are adamant about it).

Parlor – older term for living room.

Butts – cigarettes, especially what’s left thrown on the ground.

Clicker – remote control of TV,( usually controlled by male of home.)

Down cella – where the freezer is, otherwise known as basement.

Draw – it’s supposed to be pronounced “drawer” as in “It’s the top drawer of my dresser.”

“No-suh” – “I don’t believe it” or “No”

“Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers” – can’t blame them!!!

“Cruisin’ for a brusin’- looking for trouble.

Right now I am wondering how many of you are wondering where I am really from, so I might have some you don’t recognize hopefully they are fun to read anyway!!!

“Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” – from the practice of piling cannon balls on a brass triangle (monkey) on a ship’s deck, if it’s cold enough the brass shrinks a bit and the balls roll off.

“Hoity-toity” – having or showing the insulting attitude of people who think they are better, smarter or more important than other people. (ya, right. NOT)

“The pot calling the kettle black” – a situation in which one person criticizes another for a fault they have themselves. (But never see it in themselves!!)

“Lie like a rug” – to lie constantly- dishonest.

“A day late and a dollar short” – missed an opportunity and been inexcusably unprepared for it or “too little, too late!”

“Piss-ah” – awesome, very good, used by one with small vocabulary!!

“Tin foil”- aluminum foil   At one time tin was involved but that was a long time ago.

“Wicked” – equivalent to ‘very’, only stronger.

“Soda” – Pop is your father, not a drink.

I have heard “Screwed, Blued and Tattooed” for years, I kind of thought it would turn out to be something harmless like freezing the balls off the brass monkey, well, sort of, kind of, NOT. Okay, here we go:

“Screwed”, yup it’s sexual intercourse

“Blued” means the blue tablet containing Mercury, treatment for syphilis (I really don’t think sex was very safe way back then. And that syphilis could be passed on by blood.)

“Tattooed” refers to the fact sailors were often marked as property of “their” Navy. (tattooing with same needles passed on syphilis). A well-used saying was “you’re one of us now you scurvy dog. No woman will have you, there’s no life left but the sea. You are screwed, blued and tattooed.

There is a machinist version for this saying also, I will add that another night. I am always open to sayings I may not have heard or read, if you have some pass them along!

Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com, sub. line: Words   So for now : “Tootle-loo” (That’s a new one for me!!)

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Band leader Guy Lombardo Author Joan Sansom Composer Carl Neilsen

PlatterPerspective
by  Peter Cates


Guy Lombardo:
Enjoy Yourself; MCA, MCAD-11501, CD, recorded between late 1930s and mid ‘50s.

Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo

Guy Lombardo (1902-1977) led a band that consisted of talented musicians whose professionalism was at the highest spit-polished level. They recorded for four major labels that, for better or worse, dominated the industry for several decades – Columbia, RCA Vic­tor, Decca and Cap­itol, achieving sales of over 300 million records.

This CD has 16 of their most well known hits from the group’s Decca catalog, MCA having bought the label during the late ‘60′. Examples – Red Sails in the Sunset, Stars Fell on Alabama, Seems Like Old Times, The Third Man Theme and, of course, the title song invoking the urgency of having fun now before you are “six feet underground.”

Much of the credit should be given to their very popular lead singer Kenny Gardner, a perfectly smooth baritone who was married to one of Lombardo’s sisters.

The arrangements were heavily criticized for (to some ears) a certain corniness and sameness but one of the band’s biggest and most loyal fans was the immortal Satch­mo.

As a sideline interest, Lom­bardo was an accomplished hydroplane speedboat racer and won several prizes; however, he was testing one boat, fitted with a jet engine enabling speeds of 250 miles per hour. The boat exploded and he decided to call it quits.

For those who  like 78s, as opposed to other formats, the original Deccas are very easy to find in thrift stores, yard sales, etc. Otherwise this CD was very well mastered with clean, clear fidelity. One could check local outlets but Amazon prices begin at a penny yet range as high as 63 bucks.

Joan Sansom: The Auctioneer; novel, 1976.

Joan Sansom

Joan Sansom

This book deals with a small New Hampshire village, mainly agricultural, and a nice quiet place for families. An auctioneer, Perley Dinsmore moves into town and holds an auction to raise much-needed funds for the police department. And he builds some good will among the citizens.

Soon, however, ominous events occur. He, with the help of the police, begins soliciting belongings, valuables and money, even deeded property, with the police providing pickup service, and folks lack the will to say no, those few with any backbone suffering mysterious accidents. Events spiral out of control as just about everybody is stripped of everything while Dinsmore profits extensively.

The story was an extremely compelling reading experience but readers who like the traditional ending should be forewarned.

The author Sansom died of cancer at 39 in 1976 shortly after the novel was published.

 

Carl Nielsen

Carl Nielsen

Carl Nielsen: Symphony No. 5; Paul Kletzki conducting the Suisse Romande Orchestra; London, CS 6699, stereo lp, recorded 1971.

Right at this moment in time, this Symphony by the Danish composer Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) is the one I return to the most for listening both in the car and at home. Like Mahler’s 5th, it too has power, intense beauty and a joyous, life-enriching optimism. Some have considered it Nielsen finest work; others have considered it the finest Symphony of the 20th century; while a few have called it the greatest Symphony since those of Beethoven. I have seen several music lovers, even those outside the classical fold, become engrossed when hearing a recording of it on a decent stereo system or in concert.

Paul Kletzki

Paul Kletzki

 

Paul Kletzki (1900-1973) conducted a beautiful performance. Unfortunately, a CD re-issue from 25 years ago is no longer in print and only two copies of this LP are available from vendors at $40 for one and $80 for the other. However, I have heard a number of other recordings, each of which are good, and would recommend any of those listed on Amazon and elsewhere because this work has consistently inspired the best efforts of those who have chosen to record it.

 

Useful Citizens Tour: Guided walking tour of Skowhegan’s North Cemetery

Pages In Time

by Melvin Burnham

Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center will be hosting a tour of the historic North Cemetery off Madison Avenue on July 29th at 10 AM. During this guided walking tour participants will visit with some notable citizens that proved to be useful in developing country, community, and business.   In her two volume history of Skowhegan, Skowhegan on the Kennebec, Louise Helen Coburn selected a few useful citizens that “may be regarded as representative of the human stream, which during the late 18th century and early 19th flowed eastward and northward to come to rest beside the Kennebec near Skowhegan Falls, and here to pause for a generation before flowing outward to the ends of the known world.” Many of these notable souls rest in the North Cemetery.

This tour visits many prominent citizens of early Skowhegan including Amos Mann and Asa Dyer.  Dr. Amos

Dr. Amos A. Mann

Dr. Amos A. Mann

Angier Mann practiced medicine in Skowhegan for many years preceding 1882. He evidently didn’t go to school until he was 15, attended Lancaster (NH) for one term and served as assistant teacher in that institute.  Being an unusual doctor, he was sometimes summoned as a last resort because he did things that no other practitioner would dare attempt. In some cases of indigestion he would prescribe “plenty of pork and beans and stuff the potatoes right to her.” Dr. Mann was interested in politics and did not hesitate to share his opinion in his newspaper entitled “Mann’s Family Physician and Down East Screamer.”  His home was located on the corner of the Dr. Mann and the Athens’ road.

Many of the homes and businesses in Skowhegan are constructed of brick.  Most of those bricks were manufactured by two firms in Skowhegan, one being owned by Asa Dyer.  Louise Coburn notes that Asa was the first settler on his considerable farm of 85 acres which ran eastward across the plains on what was considered upper Madison Street known as Dyer Hill. Mr. Dyer ran a brick-yard just behind his home and the business was later carried on by his sons, Chandler and Isaac.  Isaac Dyer, notable Civil War General, is also at rest in the North Cemetery along with his servant slave Morgan Ellis.

Ellis Morgan Freed Man

Ellis Morgan Freed Man

Skowhegan History House Museum & Research Center strives to bring local history alive through guided tours and research assistance at the museum, history related presentations, and by hosting tours featuring historic Skowhegan. After the Useful Citizens Tour, there is one remaining tour

Gen. Asa Dyer

Gen. Asa Dyer

scheduled for this season and it is new.  Early Bloomfield Settlers, Tour of the Bloomfield Cemetery on August 12th at 10 AM.

Participants will meet tour guide Melvin Burnham at the cemetery gate and a donation of $5 per person is suggested. For more information: info@skowheganhistoryhouse.org.