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

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

There won’t be any church service at the North Anson Congregational Church on Sunday, September 1.

The Annual Church Camping Trip, Worship Service, and Picnic Friday August 30 – September 2. Worship Service at 11 a.m., on Sunday, September 1, and potluck picnic to follow. Directions to Cathedral Pines, Eustis: From the Church parking lot turn right onto Rte. 16 west (towards Pinkham’s Market). Follow Rte. 16 west 8.3 miles to North New Portland, where there is a sharp left to continue on Rte. 16 west for 7.6 miles to Kingfield (cross the bridge). Turn right onto Rte. 27 north, continue on Rte. 27 north for 26.7 miles (going through Carrabassett Valley and Stratton) you will see Cathedral Pines Campground on your right (across from the main campground). Turn left onto Eustis Ridge Road, Go to Group site #2, the third driveway on the right. (There will be a sign so you will know where to turn).

If you are camping please bring firewood for the community campfire. If you can, please bring lawn/camp chairs for the Sunday worship service. If you have any questions, please call the parsonage (635-2137).

The following is a reminder of an upcoming event at the Solon Congregational Church. On Friday, September 13, Lorna and Carlton Russell, from Stockton Springs, will perform an organ concert at 6 p.m., at the Solon Congregational Church. The organ is believed to be the oldest pipe organ of its kind in New England. There will be light refreshments served at intermission. Donations will be accepted at the door.

I am sure the above will be very enjoyable. I have listened to that special old organ many times in the past, and it truly does perform well!

The Town Line held their annual summer picnic on Sunday, August 18. Was very sorry to miss it , but we were on our way back from our stay up in the ‘County.’ I think it has always been the same weekend that we are traveling. I’m sure everyone had a great time.

Received the following e-mail from Western Woods: Help us protect the beautiful 275-acre Western Woods forest for conservation and recreation! Imagine the opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, birding, snowshoeing and skiing on a three-mile trail along the Kennebec River, in Madison.

Five talented artists have joined with Somerset Woods Trustees to create ART FOR WESTON.

Join with our many wonderful supporters to celebrate the protection of Western Woods at the Western Homestead, in Madison, on Saturday, September 7, at 4:30 p.m. (Heavy rain date: Sunday, September 8, at 4:30 p.m.)

As I told you last week, we have been traveling and enjoying this wonderful state of Maine recently! And….it has made my heart sing to see so many more of the signs that say, No CMP Corridor! It seems I’m not alone in wanting our state to remain beautiful and special. Lief and I have been up to what I call “God’s Country” quite often this summer, and again, I can’t explain the peace that I find up in that part of Maine.

And so for Percy’s memoir: Do you encounter situations in which you cannot tell whether you are up against a stone wall or whether you are temporarily thwarted? The difference between success and failure is not great. Success often depends upon being able to tell whether you are up against a hopeless situation or just a difficult one. Here is a prayer, attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, that may help when you are up against it: “God give me the strength to accept with serenity the things which cannot be changed; give me the courage to change things that can and should be changed; and give me the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.” (I like that prayer a lot, and I try to live by it…but I get in trouble some times!) When I’m afraid I may have written something that might get this paper in trouble, I always call Roland to make sure he reads it. One time that I called him about one of my columns ……there was a long pause and then he said, “Marilyn, you are one of a kind. You are one of the last of the old time journalists!” I kinda took that as a compliment, I definitely don’t write Fake News!

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

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

Was so very happy to receive the following letter from Charlotte S. Withee about the following Smith Family 69th reunion.

“The family of the late Henry and Gertrude (McLaughlin) Smith held its 69th reunion on July 29, 2019, at Moores Pond in Lexington, Maine. The descendants of Harry Smith were the host.

There were 48 members and guests attending. The family enjoyed spareribs and hamburgers provided by Lester and Gail Smith. Other members provided salads and desserts. Everything was delicious..

ELMER’s family – none attended.

HARRY’s family – Lester and Gail Smith; Jack Theriault; Sylvia and Amelia Brenna; Mike and Margi Theriault; Brian and Susan Smith; Timothy and Emily Gauthier; Mackenzie Smith; Stephen and Elizabeth Smith; Bradley Smith and Kayla Linkletter, children Noah and Owen; Lois and Jeff Smith. Lester and Gail Smith’s guest Wayne and Naomi Smith.

AGNES’ s family – None attended.

OLIVER’s family – Craig L Smith; Judy E. Smith; David Smith and guest Marcia Hewett; Sheila (Smith) and John Callaway; Janice Gorman and daughter Jayda Laney; Russell and Kimberly Smith and children Alex; Bradley; Cassie; Cayden; Deanna Gorman.

GERTUDE’s family – Diana (Merry) Michaud; Monica Atwood and child Sage Bertone and Monica Atwood’s guest Shane Davis and his children, Camron , Elijah, Nick and Kaelyn; Rosemary; John and Sharon (Mellows) Ziacoma; Jennifer Withee and Andrea Smith; Charlotte and Ralph Withee.

CECIL’s – None attended.

CLARISSA’s family – Diana Gerrard Tardiff; Danal Gerrard; Darrell Gerrard; Darcie Verrill and her guest David M. Whitney; Nancy G. Smellie; Joan K (Paine) Steele.

VINCENT’s family – None attended.

Attending from out of state: Russell Kimberly Smith and children, from New York; Sylvia and Amelia Brennan, from Pennsylvania; Sheila and John Callaway, from California.

The oldest member was Rosemary (Mellows) Merry, age 86, and the youngest was Bradley Smith’s and Kayla Linkletter’s son Noah, age 1.”

There is a Bag Sale this week at the Embden Community Center. All clothing men’s, women’s and children, $1.50 for small bag and $3 for a large bag. Hours are: 10 a.m. – 12:30, p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The lending library is open while the Thrift Shop is open. Thanks go out to Carol Dolan for this important information and….more thanks go out to her for the following information!

New Portland Library events:

Pie Social – Come join us for our annual Pie Social at New Portland Community Library August 14, at 5:30 – 7 p.m. Yummy desserts with friends!

Bake Sale at Tindall’s Store on August 17 from noon – 4 p.m. Lots of home baked goodies to satisfy your sweet tooth! Tindall’s Store is located in North New Portland.

Aging Well with Technology class, September 5, 1:30 – 3 p.m., at the library. This free class, offered by the National Digital Equity Center, will assist participants to connect through basic technology, protect your digital presence, use technology for better health and get what you need online.

Again, my many thanks for your generous, nice people from ‘Beyond’ for sending me the above interesting news to share with our readers. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!

And now again, I’m asking those of you who live in Solon if you won’t please send me your news? It doesn’t take long to send an e-mail, or send a written letter by mail! I have to get it by the Sunday before it comes out in the next Thursday paper. I will even come to your home and pick it up if you don’t live too far away!

And now for Percy’s memoir entitled, Understanding: The troubles that beset you along life’s winding road are sent to make you stronger to share another’s load. We cannot share a sorrow if we haven’t grieved a while, nor can we feel another’s joy until we’ve learned to smile! Sweet mystery of music, great masters and their art, how well we understand them when we’ve known a broken heart! Let tyrants lust for power, sophisticates be wise, just let me see the world, dear God, through understanding eyes. (words by Nick Kenny.)

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

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

Received the following information from Eleanor Pooler, the leader of the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club for many, many years: The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club sent 127 exhibits to the Bangor State Fair 4-H exhibition hall. (Eleanor said they will be sending more to several other upcoming fairs.) I admire Eleanor greatly, for all she does for our young people!

Janice Pooler, from Colorado, and her children AJ Giroux Jr., and Jessica Crocker and their families have been here visiting Rance and Eleanor Pooler. While here she welcomed a new grandson Josah Charles Giroux.

The monthly supper at the Embden Community Center will be on Saturday, August 10, at 5 p.m.

Regular events at the Embden Community Center are Neighbor to Neighbor Thrift Shop/Lending Library 10 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Wed.;10:00-3:00 Fri. & Sat. Country Sunday: 1- 4 p.m./second and fourth Sunday. By donation. Sewing Class: 10 a.m. – noon/ Wednesdays; Weight Watchers: 5 – 6 p.m./Wednesdays. Come in an sign up–new members accepted. TOPS ( Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 10:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays. For more information you may call 566-7302.

My thanks go out to my son Peter, for getting my computer up and running again. It froze up on me from a scam and I couldn’t get it to do anything. It frustrates me some times but this was beyond that!

The above is all the recent news that I could gather up, and since you read this column now all know how old I am, I’m going to send out some great advice for older people…It is entitled Youth: Youth is not a time of life – it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips and supple knees; It is a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; It is a freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, Of the appetite for adventure over love of ease. This often exists in a man of 50 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; People grow old only by deserting their ideals. Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair – these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust.

Whether 70 or 16, there is in every being’s heart the love Of wonder; the sweet amazement at the stars and the star-like things and thoughts; the undaunted challenge of events; the unfailing, childlike appetite for what’s next; and you are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.

In the central place of your heart there is a wireless station; So long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage, grandeur and power from earth, from men, and from the Infinite – so long are your young.

When the wires are all down and all the central place of your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then are you grown old? Indeed and may God have mercy on your soul.

Hope the above words inspire some of you to continue to live life to the fullest, no matter what your age. I used the same words in a column in The Town Line back on July 10, 2004. Hope you agree, and will start thinking younger.

And so for Percy’s memoir entitled, Have Faith: Have faith when others turn and run; Endure the night, there will be sun. Have faith when things are looking dim With head erect, your eyes on Him. Be not afraid to lose or fail; No ocean’s crossed until you sail… No victory’s won without a fight, No bird migrates without a flight. Faith overcomes the strongest foe and lights the path where we must go. Faith overcomes both doubt and fear; It paints a picture bright and clear, And faith is never far away…It grows each time we kneel to pray. (words by Clay Harrison.)

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

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

Haven’t been able to chase down any recent news from Solon, so I’m going to start with an e-mail from Beyond.

“The Saturday suppers continue at the United Methodist Church in North Anson on Saturdays, July 20 and 27. Thank you so much for your support. We have no doubt that the attendance at the suppers in June was greater because of your article. Blessings, Mary Frear.” (My many thanks for that wonderful e-mail, it made my heart sing for several days!)

Received an e-mail from Vivian Champagne, Administrative Assistant of RSU #54 Adult & Community Education, asking if I wanted to continue leading the Painting Club, and my answer was “yes.” The fall brochure will be coming out soon for all the great classes offered there. I’m looking forward to seeing those of you who have been with me from the beginning, and any new ones who enjoy painting!

The North Anson Congregational Church is continuing to serve breakfasts through July, the last one is on Saturday, July 27.

Speaking of food, there was a full house in Embden last Saturday night, at the wonderful monthly supper. They are very generous with what is on the menu that particular night, it was a roast pork, with all the fixings, and it was very tasty!

These suppers are held every second Saturday of the month at the old Embden School House.

The following is for all you knitters out there! The nearest one to us in this area, is Happy Knits in Skowhegan, but the newest idea is a “Maine Yarn Cruise,” organized by Mother of Purl Yarn Shop, May 24 – Sept. 2, 2019.

Don’t miss upcoming sales and events going on in the month of July at Maine Yarn Cruise shops. Here’s just a few: Shawl Class at Mother of Purl; Meet the MKAL Designer Erin Clayton at Knitting Nook; Flamingo Festival with Quilt N Fabric; Sales at Quilt N Fabric,The Cashmere Goat, Yardgoods, Quiltessentials; Craft & Raft Adventure and Sip & Stitch at Fiber & Vine.

If you are from away! Don’t let stop you from joining the Maine Yarn Cruise. Grab a friend and come on up to Vacationland for a little yarn fun.

Had been looking forward to the following e-mail and just received it about the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club meeting on Saturday, July 13. There were 13 members, three leaders and seven visitors present. They made NUMINARY items out of tin cans, sand art and bead bowls. They talked about fair and tagging them.

They will be having a Solon Alumni Dinner at the Solon Elementary School on Saturday, July 20. They will help out and bring food, and staying to clean up.

On Monday, August 5, they will get ready for the Skowhegan Fair. On Tuesday the members will be setting up their educational exhibits.

On Sunday, August 11, some of the members will be taking part in the 4-H Day Parade at the Skowhegan Fair.

The next meeting will be at 5 p.m., on August 19, at the Solon Firehouse.

After the meeting, at Mrs. Pooler’s, everyone went out to meet Mrs. Pooler’s oxen, Star and Toby.

And now for Percy’s memoir, it is one he used before, but it is a good one, and worth repeating( in my opinion) : “There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.” These words speak volumes to me, they are written down in my handwriting on a piece of paper with no name as to who might have thought as I do.

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

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

This morning I’m going around in circles as I have been trying to find some local news to share with you. Since I couldn’t come up with anything new, I had told you I would remind you when Carolyn Waugh’s memorial would be coming up; it is on June 29, here in Solon.

Lief and I have been traveling the roads a lot, we went up to the ‘County’ and spent three days up there visiting his sisters and brother. We also stopped at the cemeteries where relatives were buried.

Because of the strange weather we’ve been having this spring, there were very few potato plants sticking up through the earth; although, as always, there were many, many fields plowed up waiting for some sunshine.

It was fun to visit with members of Lief’s close knit family and see and hear about the places where he had grown up.

We also visited with some of my family, up in God’s country, which is always a pleasure for me, (and, thankfully, Lief likes it, too.) As I have written before, two of my brothers have camps near Flagstaff Lake. We visited Tom and Insowa whose camp is right on the lake one day, and then, a few days later, when Larry and Stefhanie were up to their camp, we went there to see them, and it was a wonderful visit. As I have written before, the peace up there passes all understanding!

But……that was not always the case, this is a headline from an old clipping: Flagstaff Awaits Man-Made Flood That Will Cover Town; Tiny Hamlet Will Be Wiped Out By Construction Dead River Dam.”

This old clipping was written by Eva D. Bachelder, and she wrote,”Saddened and confused the people of Flagstaff are watching the preliminary procedure of the project which, if carried through, will wipe from existence their entire settlement. Their homes, church and lodges must go, their dead will be moved from their burial place. The Flagstaff that has marked the spot where Arnold’s men landed on their march to Quebec in 1775 and the War Memorial markers must be moved to the ground of a nearby town.

For when the Dead River Dam is constructed as now planned by the Central Maine Power Company, the Plantation of Flagstaff will be under the body of water made by the flowage. It is estimated that at least 13 feet of water will be over the location of the present post office and store and that the flowage will run back nearly to the village of Stratton, seven miles away.

Flagstaff’s present population is small, between seventy and one hundred, but it is a population of survivors, people who were born in the community, many of whom are living in the homes of their fathers.

They have heard the building of such a dam talked about for 20 years and twice during that time it almost seemed a certainty but as the years have passed it has become almost a myth, although all are unanimous in the opinion that a change began in the town when the company years ago began to buy farms and other land.

There has been a feeling of uncertainty for several years in everything that they have done and no one attempted to establish anything permanent. The sawmill of the Viles Timberland, Inc., of Augusta, sawing a cut of 2,500,000 feet of pine, has only temporary quarters in Flagstaff. ” It was a very trying, uncertain time living there during all of this uncertainty and so some people started selling their homes to Central Maine Power. The last of it, my folks moved their house to Eustis, many of the Rogers families moved to Solon. Frank and I and our 18-month-old son moved to a farm we had bought on the River Road, in Solon. It was a very stressful time for all involved…… and that is why I am so against this CMP Corridor!

And now for Percy’s memoir: What you do, what you say, what you are, may help others in ways you never know. Your influence, like your shadow, extends where you may never be.