FOR YOUR HEALTH: 3 Safe Senior Exercise Options For Summer

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Now’s the time to kickstart your summer exercise routine. Pair up with a friend for extra fun and motivation.

(NAPS)—Sunshine and warm weather have many people thinking about new workout options. If you’re ready to kickstart your fitness routine—but want to do so safely—consider these three simple tips:

1. Check in with your gym about its COVID-safe offerings. Many Americans who have been avoiding public places this past year are now looking to expand their horizons, including going back to a gym. Growing numbers of gyms now offer outdoor workout spaces that include many of the weight training and aerobics equipment choices you previously enjoyed indoors—treadmills, stair climbers, weight machines, free weights—and even outdoor classes. Outdoors or indoors, many gyms continue to maintain at least six feet between each workout station, require masks within the space, and provide free hand sanitizer, clean equipment assurances and other COVID-safe protocols. Give your gym a call or visit the location to find out what specific COVID-safe guidelines are in place there, so you can determine whether you’re ready to resume your gym routine.

2. Increase your outdoor exercise routine. After being cooped up for months, getting outside can work wonders for your physical health and emotional well-being. Take yourself to a park to explore a new walking or hiking path. There are several apps that can locate hiking trails near you. Challenge a friend to a regular game of tennis, pickleball or bocce ball. Or dust off your bicycles and enjoy the freedom of feeling the wind in your faces. Establishing a fun exercise routine with a friend can motivate you to keep it up and help lift your spirits. Older adults reported increased feelings of isolation last year. Exercising with a friend can help you shake off the loneliness blues.
Being outdoors offers the added benefit of providing you with a dose of vitamin D. Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and to enhance bone health and immune system function. Regularly spending time outdoors is the most natural way to get the recommended 10 to 30 minutes of sun exposure several times a week. Just don’t forget to put on sunscreen.

3. Augment your workout with home exercise classes. National guidelines recommend that you get at least 150 minutes per week of exercise. To make sure you’re meeting that, augment your workout routine with home exercise classes that you can view on your laptop, phone or other devices. For best results, mix things up. Incorporate cardio exercise classes with strength training videos that use resistance bands or free weights. If you want to improve balance or flexibility, try a yoga or tai chi class. Popular options such as the Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise program offer a wide range of free online classes specially designed for older adults. Classes premiere daily on Facebook Live from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time, 6 days a week. You can join the scheduled classes at https://www.facebook.com/SilverandFit to enjoy engaging live with other online viewers. Or you can view the replays on YouTube at a time that’s convenient to you. You’ll find them at: www.youtube.com/silverandfit.

Now can be your time to get back into a fitness routine—or start a new one. Find workout options that you love and that motivate you to stick with them. Then make the most of the season. As always, before you start any new exercise routine, talk to your doctor to discuss your goals and what types of exercise might be safest for you.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Baby’s day

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by Debbie Walker

My family just enjoyed celebrating a very important first birthday this past weekend. It was held in my daughter’s backyard.

If you came you would see the kitchen was still busy prepping food like peanut- butter and jelly sandwiches shaped like a star fish and chicken salad sandwich shaped like a clam shell (crescent roll). The punch was ocean color.

The birthday cake is the lower part of a mermaid made with cupcakes (great idea, less mess). This next one was a new one on me, there was another small cake, and I am told this is a Smash Cake. Smash?

Finally, the family feels safe enough to introduce their baby girl to her family. From the last few months of the mother’s pregnancy until long after birth they have been pretty much isolated. The party was planned for May 1. But because of several members of the family coming down with COVID, it was postponed to June 5.

I know a lot of people have experienced suffering in various forms because of this horrid virus. My granddaughter told me she had felt robbed. She was robbed of a lot or special memories before the birth. There were so many things she feels she missed with this being her only pregnancy.

When it got closer to her due date her mom didn’t even visit anymore, so even her mom lost out on some of the experiences that could have been. She had been involved in quite a few births since she is a wonderful coach and yet she couldn’t even coach her own daughter. After 28 hours the baby was delivered Caesarian. After all that there were more weeks of isolation. Anyway, you get the idea.

Oh yeah… A smash cake is for the baby. They put her in her high chair with just a diaper on and planted her hand right on top of the cake and smash. She got the idea of the whole thing. She ate a couple bites and then it was all fun. Hopefully, I can add the picture.

Of course, I did a little exploring about first birthdays and come out of it with this: “It’s not about the baby. It’s about the two people and their family that surround those people that helped the baby grow happy and healthy. The baby recognizes the people gathered around. They can feel the positive energy to know this is a good thing.”

Proof that it really isn’t for the one-year- old baby, in the back yard there was a huge waterslide. The kids and the adults had a great time on that thing. The little bitty kids had a little pool and a little slide of their own. All had a great time.

Every family has their story to tell about this time frame. Right now, I wouldn’t want anyone to think I am trying to make light of anyone’s situation. What I am finding is by listening I am learning.

I’m just curious about what you are hearing. For any questions or comments reach me at DebbieWalker@townline.org . Thank you for reading and have a great week!

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Soundtracks and singers

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Against All Odds

Soundtrack- composed by Michel Colombier; Atlantic 80152-1-E, stereo LP, recorded 1984.

Rachel Ward

Jeff Bridges

I have never seen this Jeff Bridges/ Rachel Ward thriller but, having read the Wiki synopsis, am now curious. The soundtrack itself is a first class mishmash of instrumentals underscoring the action and individual tracks by Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Big Country, Mike Rutherford, Kid Creole and the Coconuts and, last but not least, the sublime Phil Collins hit, Take a Look at Me Now. The instrumentals by Colombier and Larry Carlton are powerful and soaringly eloquent. Recommended listening.

Bennie Moten

Bennie Moten’s Kansas City Jazz- X- EVAA-3004, ep 45 reissue, early ‘50s from Victor shellac 78s recorded December 13 and 14, 1926, in Chicago.

Bennie Moten

Bennie Moten (1894-1935), led an outstanding Kansas dance band that was, ar­gua­bly, the most popular one in that burg for much of the 1920s and early ‘30s until Moten’s tragic 1935 early death from a botched tonsillectomy. The four numbers on this 45 – Kansas City Shuffle; Yazoo Blues, Midnight Blues, and Missouri Wabble – make for compelling listening. Every note is alive, every texture well articulated and the variety of sounds coming from my speakers, ranging from the spunky banjo picking of Sam Tall to the brass shadings of cornettists Ed Lewis and Lamar Wright; trombonist Thamon Hayes; and Abe Bolar on tuba, etc., gives this record its status as a classic.

Ella Fitzgerald

with Nelson Riddle’s arrangements and conducting; Ella Swings Brightly with Nelson; Verve V6-4054, 12-inch stereo vinyl LP, recorded 1962.

Ella Fitagerald

The words Swings Brightly do not hint at the supremely splendid, vibrant excitement of this album. As far as I am concerned, Ella Fitzgerald sings renditions of the 12 songs contained here that have been rarely surpassed by anyone for power, beauty, elegance and all the other grossly overused synonyms for musical pleasure; and Nelson Riddle’s arrangements are those of once in a lifetime. Simply try Duke Ellington’s I’m Gonna Go Fishing, which I shared on my fb home page from YouTube, where it can be easily heard !

Pelican Brief

starring Julia Roberts, etc.; directed by Alan J. Pakula; Warner Brothers, 1993, 141 minutes.

Julia Roberts

Two Supreme Court justices of radically different ideologies are murdered on the same day. Thus no common thread is found to launch any type of investigation, until a Louisiana law student, Darby Shaw (played by Ms. Rob­erts), shows a brief to her professor who passes it along to a friend at the Justice Department.

All hell breaks loose for her – her car explodes, killing her professor inside who was borrowing it; she is pursued by killers from out of nowhere and doesn’t know who to trust. It’s 141 minutes of cat and mouse paranoia adding up to a most entertaining film. The late Hume Cronym does a captivating turn as one of the two murdered judges.

SOLON & BEYOND: News from Solon Elementary School

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

As always, I was very happy to receive the Solon School news sent to me on June 8.

It starts with Best Wishes To Fifth Graders: We want to extend our best wishes and good luck to our fifth grade class, who will enter sixth grade at Carrabec School in the fall. The students had a chance to join the other district fifth graders at a Step-Up Day activity at CCC on June 1. They saw some parts of the school, met the principal Mr. Mahoney, and met their teachers Mrs. Weggler and Mr. Ela.

Their teacher Mrs. McCluskey and the rest of the staff bid them farewell and wish them the best as they move to the middle school.

Good-bye and good luck to Isabella Atwood, Paul Craig, Lane Frost, Jayden McKenny, Gavyn Perigo, Jordynn Richardson, Annabell Roderic, and Liana Sandoval.

FOURTH QUARTER HONOR ROLL: All A’s: Lane Frost, Charlotte Hamilton, Olive MacDonald, Jayden McKenny and Emma Pooler. All A’s & B’s… Isabella Atwood, Maxx Caplin, Paul Craig, Lydia Dixon, Allyssa Hutchins, Ethan Plourd, Martin Plourde, Hunter Pourde and Spenser Rogers. Congratulations!

This week we are saying good-bye to our first grade teacher, Mrs. Carol Campbell, who is retiring after teaching for 40 years, 37 of them in RSU #74. Mrs. Campbell started her career in Skowhegan but then moved to our district where she taught at Garret Schenck Elementary School, in Anson, Central Elementary school, in New Portland, Embden Elementary School and Solon. She has touched the lives of many students here in our district. We wish Mrs. Campbell lots of fun and new adventures in her retirement, and we hope she will stay in touch. Thank-you and best wishes, Mrs. Campbell.

We are also saying good-bye to our technology teacher, Mrs. Roxann Waugh, who is retiring this spring as well. Mrs. Waugh has taught in RSU#74 for 17 years. She started teaching at Carrabec High School in business education and then moved into the technology teaching position at Carrabec Community School, Garret Schenck Elementary School and Solon Elementary School. Mrs. Waugh may decide to substitute in the district in the fall to keep connected to students. Best wishes, Mrs. Waugh!

BOOKMARK CONTEST WINNERS: This spring our students participated in the seventh annual Bookmark Contest in conjunction with the Coolidge Public Library. Each student designed a bookmark that promoted reading. Our art teacher Mr. Richard Reichenbach judged the bookmarks and chose a winner from each grade. Each winner received a cerificate and a book from Ms. Megan Myers, the town librarian. With each winner’s parent’s permission, we made copies of his/her bookmark, for Ms. Myer’s to give out to patrons of the library.

Winners: Preschool – Mason Kelly; Kindergarden 1 – Payton Kelly, Grade 1 – Tayler Dube, Grade 2 – Keirra Brooks, Grade 3 – Emma Pooler; Grade 4 – Charlotte Hamilton, Grade 5 – Annabell Roderick.

My apologies to those whose news didn’t get in this week, but I’m sorry, I just didn’t get it in time. It is better if I get it a week before it is to happen.

And so for Percy’s memoir: TODAY: I will start today serenely with a true and noble aim; I will give unselfish service to enrich another’s name. I will speak a word of courage to a soul enslaved by fear; I will dissipate drab discord with the sunshine of good cheer. I will be sincere and humble in the work I have to do; I will praise instead of censure and see the good in you. I will keep my mind and body sound and flexible and pure; I will give my time and study to the things that long endure. I will advance a worthy cause; I will strive to lesson evil and obey God’s righteous laws. I will pray to Him to guide me in the straight and narrow way; I will shun false pride and folly. I will live my best today. (To those who remember my cat Percy, he was a remarkable animal, as you can see.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Where have all the June bugs gone?

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Green June beetle (left), June Bug (right)

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Well, it’s the middle of June and I have yet to see a June bug this year.

Generally, June bugs, Phyllophaga, do make their appearance in mid- to late-May. So why are they called June bugs? It all depends on what you want to call them. They are also known as May beetles and June beetles. But, the name is derived from the fact that adult June bugs emerge from the soil at the end of spring or the beginning of summer.

Females bury their eggs just below the soil surface in the fall, they pupate and emerge in the spring. They hatch within three to four weeks and feed on grass and plant roots from several months to as long as three years. In spring, these grubs, as they are called, grow into pupae. Within three weeks, these mature into adult June bugs.

Grubs, when full grown, live in the soil and feed on plant roots, especially those of grasses and cereals, and are occasional pests in pastures, nurseries, gardens and golf courses. An obvious indication of infestation is the presence of birds, especially crows, peeling back the grass to get to the grubs. A way to test for the presence of these beetles is drenching an area of lawn with water, that will cause larvae to emerge at the surface.

Some small mammals, including skunks and moles, feed on the grubs.

The grubs have been known to attack vegetables and other garden plants, such as lettuce, raspberries, strawberries, potatoes and young ornamental trees. Maintaining a healthy lawn is a good step in deterring the grubs from establishing themselves.

Injury to the roots and rootstock causes small saplings and tender tap-rooted plants like lettuce to wilt suddenly or to show stunted growth and a tendency to shed leaves prematurely. Plants growing in rows are usually attacked in succession as the grubs move along from one plant to the next. Chafer grubs feed below ground for three – four years before changing into adult beetles.

June bugs are harmless. They do not bite, sting or spread disease. However, I did see one of my friends move faster than I have ever seen her move before, while sitting around a camp fire last weekend, when one landed on her. To be honest, it’s the natural reaction by most people, including yours truly.

Again, they are harmless, but because they are attracted to light they can make an evening sitting on your porch or deck a little unpleasant. Even if there is no light outdoors, they can be attracted to lights inside your home. I know at camp, when we’re spending time indoors after dark, they come “knocking” on our windows. The sound of June bugs buzzing and bumping against window screens in early summer is a very common occurrence over many parts of the U.S. Adult June bugs are extremely clumsy, especially in the air.

Scientists are still undecided on the precise explanation for this behavior. Several thoughts have been advanced, but no single theory has come about that can account for why so many different nocturnal insect species gravitate to sources of light. June bugs usually are a half-inch to an inch and a quarter in length. They can fly and you will find them swarming around street lights at night.

Now, let’s do some “did you know.”

  • Exposure to light for longer intervals will kill June bugs. That is why you will find them dead in the morning under porch lights and windows.
  • Don’t leave a window open during May-June period. They will enter your house and die, leaving you with a mess to clean up. If they do enter, remember, they don’t bite and are harmless, just annoying.
  • There are over 200 different species of June bugs in the United States.
  • A natural enemy of the June bug is the pyrgota fly larva, which feeds on the beetles, eventually killing them.
  • The June bug larvae, called white grubs, are considered excellent fish bait, and are staples in the diets of native people in South America, Australia, and Asia.
  • Have a pet lizard or toad? The beetles make excellent, tasty food for them.

There is another popular June beetle that’s active during the day. It is the Green June Beetle, and are found in our region of the Northeast, extending from Maine to Georgia and as far west as Kansas. These are not very good for the garden either. The head, legs and under-body is shiny green, while its wings are dull metallic green, with slight gold contrast to its sides.

Numerous songs have been written about June bugs, to include: “Junebug”, by The B-52s; “Junebug”, from the album Good Morning Spider by Sparklehorse; “Junebug”, by Robert Francis; “June Bug”, by Melvins; “Junebug”, by Stan Van Samang; and “Junebug”, by Kate Ryan.

So day and night, during early summer, these beetles can be destructive to vegetation, and just plain annoying to humans.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Prior to 2011, when was the last time the Boston Bruins won a Stanley Cup?

Answer can be found here.

Article updated June 12, 2024.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, June 17, 2021

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

EATING WELL: Jayne Winters, of South China, captured this cardinal which seems to have eaten well recently.

STRETCHING: Emily Poulin, of South China, photographed this squirrel stretching out in the sun.

SPRING BLOSSOMS: Andy Pottle, of Palermo, snapped these spring tree blossoms.

FOR YOUR HEALTH – COVID Testing In Schools: What You Should Know

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Pooled COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools can reduce the time it takes to uncover positive cases in the classroom.

(NAPSI)—Enabling K-12 schools to reopen for in-person learning is a high priority for parents, communities and governments. In fact, President Biden’s National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness was launched to fund COVID testing for teachers, staff and students in an effort to create a safer return-to-school environment.

Getting kids back to in-person learning will mean giving working parents a break, letting parents return to full-time work, reducing the expense of tutors or childcare and providing a near-normal learning experience.

Nevertheless, concerns linger over COVID in the classroom and the possibility of children bringing the virus home. School districts have looked at options for student testing but at the top of many lists is pooled testing. Here are some common questions and answers about that:

What is pooled COVID testing?

Pooled COVID-19 testing combines swabs from consenting individuals in a classroom and runs them as a single test. This can significantly increase testing capacity and lower costs. School personnel are trained to operate and monitor on-site sample collection, usually done weekly. In the event of a positive pool, the entire pool is quarantined and individually retested. But students who test negative can return to school immediately.

Does my child need to participate?

Participation is optional but according to district supervisors, most parents participate because regular, proactive testing can offer peace of mind. Knowing your child is in a COVID-free pool can make sending them to in-person learning less stressful. Proactive pooled testing alerts parents if a pool tests positive—which can be faster than finding out only after a child starts showing symptoms. It also means that parents know if a child tests positive, even if they are asymptomatic.

Can I trust the results?

Yes, in many states, pooled testing is already being administered by trained school personnel. Swabs are tested by Helix, a CLIA-certified lab, identified as having one of the most sensitive PCR tests on the market in an independent study conducted by the FDA.

Does testing my kids at school cost me anything?

No, having your kids tested for COVID at school on an ongoing basis doesn’t cost families anything. It provides a convenient way to protect all family members and creates a safer in-person learning environment.

How can I learn more?

For more information, contact your school and ask about pooled COVID-19 testing and visit www.helix.com.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Lifetime of our products

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by Debbie Walker

There have been times when I have wondered just how long some products last. The article I read may not have had some of the products I was interested in, but they may interest you. The information was from an HGTV Magazine, written by Colleen Sullivan.

The article starts out with Aloe Vera gel. Once the bottle is opened it is good for about 12 months. The best place to keep it is in the refrigerator. It’s protected from sunlight and feels good when you put it on your skin.

Plant Bulbs can live for 10-15 years. Some bulbs need to be fertilized in the fall and others need to be dug up and stored before the first freeze.

Cast iron pans can last for generations if you do gentle cleaning. It should be done with warm water and a non-scratch nylon scrubber. Do not leave in water for extended time.

Deli-meat is good for up to five days. If the meat doesn’t come home in a zip lock bag, as soon as you get home it needs to be done. It’s best if stored in your refrigerator’s deli-meat drawer. Temperature stays steady longer.

Gum: I’ve never thought much about it but the article said 14-18 months. I don’t think I’ve ever kept any that long. It says the sweeteners lose their flavor and it’s hard to chew. So if it’s been in the bottom of your pocket book for two years, don’t chew it!!

Water heater: Why do people refer to it as a “hot” water heater? It’s a heater, certainly not to make it cold. Oh well, anyway, the article says the tank one can run up to 12 years and the tankless can last 15 years. They should be checked each year when you are doing the annual heating system check-up. Maintenance is key to how many years get.

A funny one to me is the store-bought Popsicles are good up to 18 months because they do have preservatives. Home made is only about three weeks.

Have you wondered about your gallon jugs of water? They can last indefinitely. Store in a cool area not near chemicals like paint thinner.

An open bottle of wine (red) is good for three to five days. The white wines are good after opening for four to five days. See, so you really should finish your wine so as not to be wasteful.

Petroleum Jelly is good for up eight years. If you have put your fingers into it while you have a cold or virus you really should throw it out.

Vitamins are good for up three years. They should be kept out of the light, not on counters, etc. Light can weaken their potency.

X-acto knives. Now that is a subject I have(n’t) wondered about. I just figured when the blade gets dull it’s time to trash them.

I am just curious if you know any other miracle numbers you might share. Contact me with any questions or comments at DebbieWalker@townline.org

P.S. This weekend is my first great-grandchild’s first birthday. Addison Grace won’t understand much of anything going on this weekend other than she is just having fun. But the rest of us will just be glad the numbers of Covid are down enough that we can celebrate her birthday and to celebrate being able to party at all.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Russ Morgan and his Wolverine Band; Peter, Paul and Mary

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Peter, Paul and Mary

Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Russ Morgan and his Wolverine Band

Everest SDBR 1095, stereo LP, recorded 1960.

Russ Morgan (1904 -1969) led one of the best dance bands during the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, until his death. The above LP, however, is a bit more animated than his usual standard. Wolverines being a clue, Morgan assembled a group of some of the finest sidemen active in ‘50s recording sessions, including trumpeter Dick Cathcart, clarinnettist Matty Matlock, guitarist George Van Epps, saxist Eddie Miller, etc. The rousing program includes such oldies as Mama’s Gone, Goodbye; Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home; That Da-Da Strain; Squeeze Me; etc., while the jacket is provided with informative notes by Morgan’s wife, Shirley, and son, David. Worth the search.

Peter, Paul and Mary

Warner Brothers, WS1449, stereo LP, recorded 1962.

PP and M were, arguably, one of the finest musical vocal groups in any genre. This first of several great albums during their initial seven- or eight-year run (followed by solo outings and intermittent reunions) still holds up incredibly well as a listening experience, even for myself who is no longer a folkie. My personal favorites are, and will always most likely be, 500 Miles, Its Raining, Cruel War and If I Had My Way, especially with the late Mary’s eloquent, haunting gifts of both phrasing the melodic line with both P’s deploying their own harmonies or vice versa.

Finally, their gifted music director, Milt Okun, who whipped the Chad Mitchell Trio into pristine shape for their own several Mercury albums, carefully and methodically honed, nurtured and led them to a level of success they would most likely have never achieved if they had been on their own.

SOLON & BEYOND – Grams: very cute and grandma’s to boot

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

Here it is, Monday already and I’m just starting to write this column! We spent the weekend visiting with Lief’s relatives and friends up in Aroostook County! It was lots of fun and so very beautiful!

This week I call this column; Gram’s: Very cute, and grandma’s to boot. It is taken from an article that was written in the Somerset Reporter way back in June 30, 1983. It brings back happy memories to me and I hope you will enjoy it also.

It’s hard to figure when you get to Gram’s, a gift shop on Route 201, Solon, what will be cuter: the many handmade items lining the walls of the shop, or the three proprietors, all real, honest-to-goodness grandmothers. Marilyn Rogers, Merle Rancourt, and Ellen Hills have a total of 12 children and 17 grandchildren amongst them.

They decided to open their own shop after renting space in a building for two years. This year they purchased an old camp and had it hauled to their site on Rte. 201. After painting, and redecorating it they christened it Grams. (It doesn’t say who wrote the first part of the story for the column but I’m going to change what was printed next so credit can be given to my wonderful sons who did a lot of work to make it the wonderful place that it was!)

It is a clean, pleasant place to browse through their many items. Just about everything in the store is handmade. They carry some Solon Manufacturing Company items for variety.

Merle makes mostly clothes and sewn items. She makes lots of baby clothes and quilts. Ellen creates sock dolls and Maine mementoes while Marilyn makes toys and other baby items.

In addition the shop is stocked with balsam pillows, lap robes, pot holders, and puppets and dolls of all sizes and description. There are even some teddy bears.

“Every time you come in here, there’s something new. ” Ellen said. And Marilyn added. “Most of the items are one of a kind.”

Grams will be open through the summer, and after that it depends on the weather. Besides come December, they all have something to look forward to. That’s when each of them expects to become grandmothers again.

At that rate Grams will never run out of customers or summer help.

Hope to find more information as to how long I kept the Grams store in business with lots of help from my friends! It was truly an inspiration for me to keep doing the things I loved to do. Hope as I continue to go through the many stacks of old papers I may come across more information to share.

As I sit here this morning hoping to write what many of you have told me that you enjoy reading about, one of them was the river drive! Was surprised when a woman called and said she truly enjoyed reading about it when I wrote some before…..But I think this is a different story that I am taking from a Somerset Reporter dated 1835-1976. The headline states: A SALUTE ….. There is a picture of some of the men and it says: Three generations—This crew of log-drivers posed for a photograph outside a camp roughly 65 years ago. They are standing Dell Stewart, Will McLaughlin, Albert Reynold, Milt Reynolds, Granville Beane, (first name unknown) Collins and Chris Rollins. Sitting, Tom Bigelow and Miles Cates. McLaughlin and Bigelow were the grandfathers of men bringing up the rear on the last log drive. The Somerset Reporter was the largest weekly newspaper at that time and it goes on to say Bert Morris remembers: Long logs and good men. It looks interesting to me; but way too long to put it in this week!

Do hope I haven’t been putting in too much of this old news and putting you to sleep, but at my age I find it really interesting and good to remember the good ol’ days.

And now for Percy’s memoir: Trying to hang on to youth, trying to hang on to what was really great 20 years ago, throws you totally off. You’ve got to go with it and seek the abundance that’s in the new thing. If you hang on to the old thing, you will not experience the new. – words by Scholar Joseph Campbell.