I’m Just Curious: Shoe facts to keep you on your toes

/0 Comments/in /by
by Debbie Walker

The kid’s books and magazines give me some different things to write about! Some of this column is from a World Magazine. I believe it is an off shoot of National Geographic World.

So we are going to start out with information about shoes:

Sneakers:

A few years ago there was a ship carrying about 40,000 pairs of sneakers in the Pacific Ocean, headed for the United States. A storm struck and the sneakers went overboard. Sometime later beach-goers from British Columbia to Oregon saw hundreds of sneakers had washed up on the shores – “they were the ‘sole’ survivors”!

Symbols:

Shoes were symbols of ownership years ago. At European weddings, the bride’s parents threw shoes to ‘say’ they didn’t own the bride any longer. Shoes became a symbol of good luck. Sometimes all the wedding guests threw shoes at the happy couple. “Maybe throwing shoes helped a marriage start out on the right foot”.

Right or Wrong

Eighteenth century people didn’t have to worry about right or left shoe. Both shoes were exactly alike. Both shoes in a pair were identical!

Someone Else’s

Napoleon I didn’t have to get blisters. His servants wore his boots to break them in for him. “They spared his imperial tootsies a royal pain.”

Fashion

About 500 years ago in Europe men wore shoes with extremely long pointy toes. Some were so long that the wearer had to fasten them to his knees – or he’d trip.

“Walks of Life”

People give shoes a real workout. Each day most people take about 9,000 steps. And over our entire lifetime we may walk far enough to circle the Earth three and a half times. That’s enough to make your feet sore!”

Altitude Footwear

Platform shoes are not new to fashion. Years and years ago in Europe decorated platform shoes were a status symbol for wealthy women. The style “peak” was called the chopine (shah-PEEN). Sometimes rising more than two feet high, this was a shoe with a view!

Okay, I guess that is enough shoe business for one day. Although I could add that my Dad used to tell Mom to take me shoes shopping. He said they would throw away the shoes and I could wear the boxes. I have big flat feet with bunions! Used to have bunions but those were taken off, yehaw! Me and shoes still don’t get along really well. And, NO, it was not my mother’s fault. She always made sure our shoes fit well.

As usual I am just curious if you have any great “shoe” stories. For questions or comments you can contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com . Thanks for reading!

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Pianist: Paul Baumgartner; TV Series: Cold Justice

/1 Comment/in /by
Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Paul Baumgartner

Piano Recital
recorded February 17, 1964; Ermitage-ERM 200-2 ADD, CD.

Paul Baumgartner

Swiss-born Paul Baumgartner (1903-1976) was most definitely below-the-radar, when compared to Rubinstein, Brendel, Ashkenazy or Horowitz, but he was highly revered by connoisseurs of really fine piano recordings. This CD preserves a live concert of the following works – Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and An­dante Favori, the Brahms Opus 117 3 Intermezzi, Debussy’s 1st Images and Masques, Schubert’s 6th Moment Musical and Chopin’s 4th Ballade and 3rd Waltz of Op. 70.

Baumgartner’s artistry was splendid but of the quieter mode, rather than of cheap, virtuosic self-indulgence. Instead he used virtuosity, of which he possessed infinite amounts, scholarship, exquisitely honed dynamics, passion and soul-filled intelligence to convey the particular beauty of each selection in the program, whether it be the muscularity of Beethoven, the nobility and reserved sentiment of Brahms, the dew drops of Debussy, the lyricism of Schubert or the captivating, grace of Chopin. My favorite performance, by a tiny margin over the others, is of the lesser known but very engaging Beethoven Andante Favori in which Baumgartner pours out his soul in each note, one of the most moving performances I have heard in a long time!

Most, if not all, of this recital is accessible via individual yts !

Cold Justice

featuring Kelly Siegler and Yolanda McClary; produced by Dick Wolf; premiered 2013, each episode one hour, accessible via Netflix

Kelly Siegler

For the last two or three weeks, I have been viewing one or two episodes of this investigative program most evenings and am on the second season. It follows former Hous­ton prosecutor Kelly Siegler and her colleague, retired Las Vegas homicide investigator Yolanda McClary, as they travel around the country investigating cold cases of murder that are languishing in local police department files. According to the pronouncements at the beginning of each episode, a murder is committed in the US about every 36 minutes and there are over 200,000 unsolved homicides since 1980.

Yolanda McClary

What I find most engaging and endearing about the show is the absence of melodramatics, especially eerie music and the use of actors in staged re-enactments. Also, the 2 women’s warm personalities; their very caring interactions with families of the victims; their very personable working relationships with colleagues; and finally their comprehensive knowledge of investigative science contribute immeasurably to the well paced unfolding of each story.

Not to mention the remarkable advances in DNA processing just in the last ten years. These innovations alone led to the apprehension of a rapist/murderer of a young 25 year old Pocatello, Idaho, woman; ten years earlier, his hand print had been found on the outside of the victim’s back door. But, his priors were a few burglaries, he had no known connection to the victim and he left no other implicating marks, while the police had two other major suspects and scratched him off their list! With new techniques, the investigators were able to find new, more incriminating DNA within the existing DNA and to figure out the hand print came from within the house rather than outside!

Erskine Academy releases 2018 second trimester honor roll

/0 Comments/in , /by

Grade 12

High Honors: Maggie Anderson, Courtney Austin, Lauren Boatright, Harald Christiansen, Noelle Cote, Grace Crouse, Cody Daigneault, Bryanna Emery, Shaylee Fisher, Hunter Gagnon, Brock Glidden, Angel Hall-Stuart, Nicholas Howes, Kayla Hubbard, Samantha Jackson, Megan Lemieux, Jordan Lewis, Rita McCausland, Hunter Merrill, Kassandra Nadeau, Jakob Peavey, Gabriella Pizzo, Leanna Prime, Mercedes Richard, Chantelle Roddy, Adam Silvia, Emma Solorzano, Emma Sullivan, Caleb Tyler, Lauren Wood. Honors: Annemarie Allen, Cody Azevedo, Cassidy Baldwin, Jamin Blais, Mariah Blanchard, Noah Bonsant, Hannah Bragg, Victoria Chabot, Madison Choate, Alexander Cleaves, Bailey Cloutier, Ashlyn Cook, Kaitlyn Coston, Austin Cowing, Corvus Crump, Stephen Csengery, Joshua Davis, Chelsea Duplessis, Madeline Durant, Derrick Dyer, Morgan Emond, Hannah Farrington, Brooke Fongemie, Kyle Frederick, Madyson Geboskie, Jadelynn Giroux, Samuel Grady, Elizabeth Green, Hunter Hoague, Luke Hodgkins, Billy Howell III, Carleigh Ireland, Damien Jackson, Isabella Johnson, Bjorn Jorgensen, Liam Keefe, Jacob Lamoreau, Alexis Lee, Tucker Leonard, Alex Logan, Devin Mason, Ryan Michaud, Chandler Moore, Harrison Mosher, Noah Osborne, Cassidy Penney, Kali Porter, Kaylee Porter, Molly Pullen, Jedidiah Regalado, Justin Rollins, Michaela Roy, Kaili Shorey, Michael Sprague Jr, Emma Stone, Hunter Swift, Makayla Tobey, Tyler Walker, Christopher Wight, Olivia Wyman, Martie Young, Morgan Young.

Grade 11

High Honors: Molly Babson, Madison Boynton, Jenna Butler, Caitlyn Denico, Tiffany Doyle, Dominic Durant, Cameron Falla, Ethan Furlong, Madeline Geidel, Sage Hapgood-Belanger, Samantha Heath, Eleanor Hodgkin, Kayla Hodgkins, Amber Rose Holmes, Peyton Houghton, Andrew Jackson, Christopher Jamison, Kyli Julia, Brenna Kitchen, Morgaine Kmen, Olivia Kunesh, Caitlin Labbe, Noah Labbe, Haeden Landry, Milo Lani-Caputo, Alexander Mahon, Rivers Malcolm, Desiree Mayo, James Mayo, Conner Paine, Jacob Praul, Seth Reed, Christina Roy, Hunter Rushing, Caleb Sacks, Seth Savage, Conor Skehan, Braden Soule, Briana Strout, Elizabeth Sugg, Willow Throckmorton-Hansford, Jack Tobey, Kassidy Wade, Hagen Wallace, Asiah Wilmot, Ashlyn Wing, Alana York, Peilin Yu. Honors: Alex Barney, Mark Barney, Gavin Blanchard, Lydia Boucher, Nina Boudreau, Justin Browne, Arthur Carey, Joseph Clark, Shannon Cornett, Leah Couture, ArizonaLee Crooker, Megan Crouse, Mireya Dos Santos, Keara Doughty, Travis Dow, Marshall Dugal, Austin Dunn, Dawn Elliott, Samuel Falla, Courtney Gallagher, Aaron Gilbert, Phillip Gilbert, Ashley Gillis, Dylan Grotton, Alexis Haskell, Tristan Hawk, Kaleb Hopper, Alicia Hotham, William Jones, Jack Jowett, Garrett Keezer, Dylan Keller, Tiffany Kiefer, Robert King, Tara Maltese, Noah Miller, Rebekah Morrill, Joshua Peaslee, Zachary Plourde, Nicholas Rancourt, Hannah Reid, Jessie Sepulvado, Krystina Shorey, Brianna Soucy, Shayleigh Springer, Shaine Staples, Mercedes Tibbetts, Megan To, Caden Turcotte, Jacob Wright, Jiwei Jeff Ye.

Grade 10

High Honors: Lucy Allen, Julia Basham, Derek Beaulieu, Haley Breton, Cassidy Clement, Norah Davidson, Nathan Evans, Alyssha Gil, Annika Gil, Boe Glidden, Keimi Henry, Summer Hotham, Sarah Jarosz, Parker King, Tristan Klemanski, Cole Leclerc, Stephanie Libby, Jordan Linscott, Adalaide Morris, Lyndsie Pelotte, Hunter Praul, Morgan Presby, Miina Raag-Schmidt, Mitchel Reynolds, Dominic Rodrigue, Alyssa Savage, Dominic Smith, Courtney Tibbetts, Brandon Tibbs, Katelyn Tibbs, Ashleigh Treannie, Hailee Turner, Cameron Tyler, Richard Winn. Honors: Lucas Anderson, Jay Austin II, Alec Baker, Adam Bonenfant, Faith Bonnell, Bridget Connolly, Devin Davis, Michael Dusoe Jr, Dominick Dyer, Vincent Emery, Jada Fredette, Mitchell Gamage, Lydia Gilman, Bryce Goff, Joshua Gower, Clara Grady, Tori Grasse, Alyssa Hale, Emma Harvey, Nicholas Hayden, Nicholas Howard, Ashley Huntley, Emily Jacques, Cameron Johnson, Colby Johnson, Marisa Klemanski, Brandon LaChance, Eleena Lee, William Leeman, Brandon Loveland, Reece McGlew, Kaytie Millay, Jakob Mills, Jamara Moore, Krysta Morris, Nathaniel Mosher, Matthew Picher, Benjamin Reed, Jennifer Reny, Andrew Robinson, Shawn Seigars, Serena Sepulvado, Santasia Sevigny, Nicholas Shelton, Ryan Sidelinger, Alissa Sleeper, Kayla Sleeper, Lily Solorzano, Jacob Sutter, Nicole Taylor, Matthew Veilleux, Tanner Watson.

Grade 9

High Honors: Mara Adams, Philip Allen, Nicholas Barber, Abbygail Blair, Everett Blair, Jane Blanchard, Christopher Bourdon, Samantha Box, Trevor Brockway, Eleanor Brown, Emma Burtt, Ashley Clavette, Cody Devaney, Jacob Devaney, Amelia Evans, Nathaniel Farrar, Addison Gamage, Margaret Gamage, Cameron Gifford, Hailey Haskell, Avery Henningsen, Nathan Howell, Emma Hutchinson, Muzzammil Iqbal, Delaney Ireland, Bryan Joslyn Jr, Madyx Kennedy, Sierra LaCroix, Isabela Libby, Joanna Linscott, Colby Lloyd, Chiara Mahoney, Hailey Mayo, Jessica Mayo, Riley Mayo, Isaiah Michaud, Michael Nicholas III, Ian Oliphant, Courtney Paine, Aiden Pettengill, Sydni Plummer, Harry Rabideau, Kristin Ray, Acadia Senkbeil, Hanna Spitzer, Logan Tenney, Mollie Wilson, Samuel York. Honors: Brooke Allen, Paris Bedsaul, Vanessa Berry, Isabella Bishop, Hailey Brooks, Zoe Butler, Anthony Chessa, Saydi Cote, Nolan Cowing, Joleigh Crockett, McKayla Doyon, Abigail Dumas, Jake Emond, Avril Goodman, Braydon Hinds, Paeshance-Rae Horan, Kaylah Kronillis, Haley Laird, Gabriel Laweryson, Drew Lowell, Hunter Luczko, Eva Malcolm, Jonathan Martinez, Gavin Mills, Alicia Nelson, Tyler Ormonde, Brian Ouellette, Olive Padgett, Daniel Page, Isabella Parlin, Annaliese Patterson, Elek Pelletier, Lexis Perry, Jacob Pomelow, Allison Roddy, Kyle Rowe, Noah Soto, Hunter St. Jarre, Ariel Stillman, Riley Sullivan, Joshua Tobey, Sarena Walker, Dylan Wing, Kelby Young.

MESSING ABOUT: Wear layers; be prepared to build shelter

/0 Comments/in /by

Messing About in the Maine Woods

by Ron Maxwell

Veterans day 2017 found me by Donnell Pond between Schoodic and Black mountains. It was a drippy night and a cool morning but the real fun began at 7 a.m. when a wall of sleet and hail hit from the east. I stood on the beach watching it roll my way. When it hit, I leaned into the blast and enjoyed the buffeting – until the hail started in earnest. Then I bravely ran back to my emergency shelter and hid. (The shelter was a tarp, staked to the ground on bottom and lashed on top to two trees.) This created an excellent barrier that diverted the sleet and wind, while I was dry underneath. I waited out the storm in my layered clothing and emerged from my manufactured microclimate, dry and comfortable. There are two reasons it went well: I was wearing layers, and I was in a pocket of still air created by the tarp.

The first reason is called thermoregulation, which is a fancy way of describing layers of clothing to take off or put back on as you warm up/cool down. I layer with a T-shirt over a long sleeve turtleneck/ long underwear shirt as a base. Then add a wool sweater and a waterproof jacket above the base layer, and the upper torso is set. Lower body layers involve the bottom of long underwear worn under cargo pants. A case can be made for a thermal layer under it all if you feel you need the extra help.

None of my layers is water wicking or fancy or expensive. Standard wisdom says to use wool, because it warms you when it is wet. There is a place for those things if you spend lots of time out in the weather, but for me they are too cost prohibitive. With the layers mentioned above I can remove pieces to keep my core temp at the stage where I don’t sweat, while staying warm enough.

The second reason is the area of stillness under the tarp, a microclimate. The difference between being warm and freezing is how well you get yourself out of the wind. I always carry a folded tarp or emergency blanket and paracord when out in the woods hiking. It allows a dry zone to be set up when the rain starts or a windbreak to take a break behind. But you can also make use of microclimates without rigging up a tarp each time a breeze blows. Use a sheltered area in the trees to recover from the wind. Bask on that warm rock. Make use of the natural features of where you are because simple changes can make a big difference.

So make sure that you have appropriate shelter for the season you are out in. Wear clothing in layers so you can thermoregulate by removing or adding those layers as you get too hot or cold. I also recommend an emergency plan for when something goes wrong – a simple emergency blanket (or contractor garbage bag) tucked in your backpack and some paracord will allow you to make a simple windproof shelter if you get stuck, hurt or ‘turned around.’ And that is how we thrive in the Maine outdoors.

GARDEN WORKS: Is spring really here? Tips for a productive garden this time of year

/0 Comments/in /by
Emily Catesby Emily Cates

Well, lookie here! Could it be? Why, yes, I think it is! Finally, the moment where I can actually go out to my garden and really feel like I can do something other than twiddle my green thumbs while looking at seed catalogs. The snow has melted in most parts of my lawn, and well-drained areas and raised beds are ready to be worked. And I figure it’s good to get going before the going gets good for the pesky black flies. I’m sure all of us who love to be outdoors can appreciate that, so let’s take a look at a few activities we can do to welcome Springtime. We’ll make sure the soil is ready to work with, and things we can do whether it is or not.

How do we know if the ground is ready to be worked? The soil should have the consistency of a wrung-out sponge when squeezed. If it forms a sticky ball, be patient and wait for the ground to dry out – or you’ll run the risk of damaging the soil structure.

Raised beds have a great advantage this time of year, as they are usually well-drained and ready to be worked before lower-lying areas of the garden. (I dug one up the other day and could’ve planted it if I had time!) I prefer to mulch my raised beds heavily if I get around to it in the fall so that when I dig them up in the spring, they are much easier to work. However, since mulch can hold in the cold, it might be a good idea to move it to the side in early spring until the soil has warmed, and then replace after the bed is planted.

quackgrass

The plots in my garden that I care for are dug exclusively by hand with a spading fork. Of course it would be easier to till with motorized equipment, but I do have weeds like quackgrass that spread by rhizomes.

To chop them into the soil would simply multiply them beyond my management capabilities – more work for me than just digging by hand and meticulously removing as many weeds and roots as I can while preparing a bed. I’ve found that over the years, I have less and less of a quackgrass problem when I carefully dig by hand and mulch – either with living mulches and cover crops such as oats – or straw, cardboard, old wood chips, or black plastic mulch. Now if only my aching back was as pristine….

The best plants for cold weather include kale, spinach, peas, carrots, leeks and other alliums. And don’t forget that trees, shrubs, and vines should be planted while they are still dormant – a ways before most garden plants are ready to plant. As soon as you can dig a hole, you can plant a tree! Don’t wait for it to warm up to do this if at all possible. (See details for the FEDCO Tree Sale below!)

Cold frames, hoop houses, high-tunnels, row covers, and similar items combined with cold-loving plants can really jump-start the season. Be sure to make good use of them if you have them handy.

Oftentimes there is no getting around areas that are slow to warm. North-facing places, especially, are the last to be ready for action. At times, this can cause considerable delay, though there might be a couple of things we can do. Some folks cover the area with a layer of clear plastic to help it heat up. Another possibility is container gardens: just fill large tubs with the planting mix of choice and go from there. Black containers will heat up their contents quicker.

If working the soil and planting is just not an option, it might be good to put some time into preparation, such as building up a compost pile and a mulch heap in a handy place near the garden. Stocking up on soil amendments is never a waste of time, as is clean-up of plant residues from the previous season. Without a doubt, we can find something to do!

Few things get me in the mood for Springtime more than the annual FEDCO Tree Sale. Located on the Hinckley Road, in Clinton, the sale runs Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5. Be there if you can, you won’t regret checking out their vast assortment of everything you can imagine growing in your garden and the supplies to help you. It’s a lot of fun and a perfect trip to take with family and friends. See you there!

China Democratic Committee observes Earth Day Sunday, April 22, 2018

/0 Comments/in , /by

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day locally? Join the China Democratic Committee on Sunday, April 22, at 1 p.m., in the public parking lot next to the Causeway on the north end of China Lake. Bring work gloves and wear sturdy shoes. They’ll tidy up the shore and boat launch area just in time to greet the beginning of the lake season and commemorate Earth Day 2018.

Earth Day was the brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, who felt it was time for a national day of awareness for the importance of environmental protection. The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970. More than 20 Americans took part in the events scheduled from coast-to-coast to demonstrate their support for a healthier, sustainable environment. Earth Day 1970 received rare political collaboration from groups who weren’t always in alignment: Republicans and Democrats, urbanites and farmers, business leaders and labor leaders. At the time, these groups suddenly realized we do share some common values because we share the same planet. Earth Day is now observed in 184 countries by hundreds of millions of people.

China Police Log for February 2018

/0 Comments/in , /by

The China Police Log is provided to The Town Line by Detective Sergeant Tracey Frost of the Oakland Police Department

Due to the heightened concerns following the Parkland, Florida, incident, the China Police attempted to concentrate on school areas in February.

Officers responded to the following:

11 traffic stops.
1 assistance to motorist.
14 business checks.
1 fireworks detail.
1 school safety presentation.
2 school zone traffic details.
1 traffic complaint.
1 welfare check.

Erskine to hold benefit concert

/0 Comments/in , /by

Erskine Academy’s music department will host its annual benefit concert on Friday, April 27, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the James V. Nelson gymnasium. The concert will feature most of the ensembles with a special Erskine alumnus guest artist. Students will be showcasing their original compositions and performing solos and traditional ensemble pieces. Donations will be accepted.

CHINA: Hortons’ teen camp gets go ahead; Dollar General application judged incomplete

/0 Comments/in , /by
by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members had a long meeting April 10, starting with a public hearing on Susan and Wesley Horton’s proposed leadership development camp on Three Mile Pond and going on to approve the camp and hear preliminary plans for a new Dollar General Store just outside South China Village.

After testimony from a dozen of the close to 20 neighbors and other interested parties who attended the Hortons’ hearing or sent written comments, board members voted unanimously that the project met all criteria in China’s land use ordinance.

At their next meeting they need to review written findings of fact that justify their decision and sign formal approval. (ep)

Neighbors had three main concerns: the appearance that the Hortons had started their camp before getting a town permit, traffic on Pond Hill Road and the degree of supervision that would be exercised over the young clients.

The Hortons bought the almost-45-acre property last fall planning to use it as a transition from their Ironwood Maine facility, in Morrill, where troubled teens are treated for up to a year, to the youngsters’ homes, colleges or other settings. Since then, they said, they have had young adults staying there – a use they consider similar to the property’s prior use by Maersk as a corporate retreat, and not the same as their proposed future use.

The incoming clients will come voluntarily and will normally stay three months, Susan Horton said. The Hortons plan to have no more than 10 clients on site at a time, with two and frequently during the day three staff members. The clientele does not include criminals or recovering drug addicts.

Several nearby residents mentioned increased traffic, sometimes well into the evening. The evening vehicles might be night staffers coming to work, the Hortons suggested. One of the current residents does have a car; none of the future 16- and 17-year-old residents will, they said.

Asked by planning board member Ronald Breton if they followed up on a neighbor’s complaint about an offensive snow sculpture, Wesley Horton said that evening he brought a letter from the offender, who has apologized, to the neighbor.

Three members of the French family, who helped take care of the property when it was a corporate retreat, believe the new use will be good for the neighborhood. Gary French said current “very respectful” residents had invited them for a meal. Marsha French commented that Maersk used to have up to 20 guests at a time, “very heavy partiers, [making] a lot of noise that echoed across that lake.

The Dollar General store is proposed for a one-acre lot on the southwest corner of the intersection of Route 3 and Windsor Road. Todd Hamula, Senior Development Manager for the Zaremba Group leading the project, and engineer Chris Nadeau of Nobis Engineering brought an array of maps and plans.

The planned entrance to the store parking lot will be off Windsor Road, on the south side of the property. The sight distance does not quite meet the state Department of Transportation’s required 125 feet, but DOT has granted a waiver allowing the driveway, Nadeau said.

Board members were unhappy with traffic issues, phosphorus control on such a small lot and the septic system. Audience members questioned the need for another dollar store in South China.

The board asked for more information to support the DOT waiver. Members are especially concerned about drivers turning south from Route 3 onto Windsor Road colliding with vehicles entering or exiting the store parking area.

Codes Officer Paul Mitnik said with a small lot more than half covered by a building and pavement, meeting China’s Phosphorus Control Ordinance requirements is probably impossible. He said state rules, which he thinks the planning board could use but is not required to use, allow a developer to compensate with a payment that would be used to control phosphorus run-off somewhere else.

No one present could remember China’s using the payment provision. Planning Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo said his initial reaction is that payment would be “morally wrong,” though he is willing to hear more about the idea.

Mitnik said the proposed septic system is inadequate. Nadeau agreed, saying the design is wrong and has been sent back to the designer.

Hamula said he talked with the neighbor to the south about the type of boundary she would like between the parking lot and her property; they agreed on evergreens, probably arborvitae, instead of a fence.

The result of the planning board discussion was a unanimous vote that Dollar General’s application is not complete and needs changes before the board can begin review. Miragliuolo said the decision is not a rejection of the application, and board members will continue informal discussions as necessary.

When a complete application is submitted the planning board is likely to schedule a public hearing. At the April 10 meeting, no date was set for further discussion.

See previous stories about teen camp: 

China public hearing planned on proposed teen camp
China planners set to hear proposal on camp for teens
China planners hear application on camp for teens

SOLON & BEYOND: Somerset County 4-H Leaders Association to hold auction, activities on May 5

/1 Comment/in , , /by
Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

Was very pleased to receive the following very interesting news about Somerset County 4-H Leader’s Association 2018. Officers for this are Eleanor Pooler, president; Sherry Grunder, vice president; Lori Swenson, secretary and Karen Cornell, treasurer.

Ted Blum 4-H Center

The Somerset County 4-H Leaders Association is holding a fundraising effort: a “Luck of the Draw” Auction on May 5, in Skowhegan.

4-H is the largest youth organization in the world. Our 13 local Somerset County 4-H clubs and independent project volunteers/ members learn life skills and participate in community service activities. Research studies document that 4-H youth are more likely to go on to college than youth engaged in other out-of-school programs. We provide funds to enable youth to participate in programs like Engineering Day, the 4-H @ UMaine Conference, summer camps and various county educational activities along with awarding county scholarships to youth who attend college. In an effort to reach more youth, we are coordinating with local schools and teachers to establish afterschool programs.

Would you be so kind as to help by donating an item or gift card? Many people love gift certificates for services or fun events. We are collecting new items or gently used things; no used clothing please. Your cash donations may also be used to purchase gas cards, a popular item in the auction for much needed help to many local residents. Items may be dropped at the Skowhegan Cooperative Extension Office.

Your donation will help further the leadership skills developed and demonstrated by many youths participating in our county. We would love to acknowledge your contribution by listing your name or organization. The above letter was signed by Lori B. Swenson, Secretary, Somerset County Leaders Association, UMaine Extension Office, 7 County Drive, Skowhegan, Maine 04976. (207) 474-9622

Now for the monthly news from Solon’s Pine Tree 4-H Club from leader, Eleanor Pooler: The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club met at the Solon Fire Station with three leaders, nine members and seven visitors in attendance.

Plans are being made for the club to do flowers for Mothers Day at the Solon Congregational Church. Several members are planning to attend to pass out the flowers.

The Somerset County Leaders Association is planning to have a “Luck of the Draw” auction on May 5 at the American Legion Hall, on Route 201, in Skowhegan. Anyone wanting more information can contact Eleanor Pooler at 643-2305.

Five members gave their demonstrations. This is something that members are asked to do each year.

After the meeting the members enjoyed doing a craft project. The next meeting will be on Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m., at the Solon Fire Station.

Several columns ago, I shared a letter I received from the Somerset Woods Trustees. This is just a reminder that they would appreciate volunteers to help clear the Kennebec Banks Rest Area on April 22. Please bring whatever tools you may have to dig, cut, and trim. We should dig out the Japanese knotweed and honeysuckle. Please bring your gloves. We’ll supply the doughnuts and hot chocolates.

And so for Percy’s memoir entitled, “Life’s Adventure”:

Life is a great adventure,
Each day a new surprise,
So sweep the cobwebs from your heart,
And open up your eyes.
Sorrow flees the sunlight,
So throw the windows wide,
And watch the brightness flooding in,
Warm everything inside.
Life is a great adventure,
For those who would explore
The road winds upward and the wind
Taps lightly at the door.
And should the day be cloudy,
No reason to complain,
When trees along the avenue,
Are singing in the rain.
Life is a great adventure,
Each day that passes by.
A dazzling panorama
As broad as it is high.
Beyond all comprehension,
The wonder of the spheres,
When one by one the hours make
A ladder of the years.

(words by Grace E. Easley.)