FOR YOUR HEALTH: Top Five Tips To Stay Fit This Holiday Season

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FOR YOUR HEALTH

(NAPSI) — While visions of sugarplums may be dancing in your head, don’t let your fitness and diet goals get pushed to the side during the holidays.

For many, it is the season of overindulgence—from holiday parties complete with decadent sweets and cocktails, to unexpected dinners out with friends and family. However, treats should be balanced with nutritious options and a healthy fitness routine. Don’t let short-term temptation derail you from achieving your long-term health goals in 2018.

Recruit a workout buddy. It’s much harder to skip a workout when you have a friend who is relying on you to participate.

Sims Corbett, certified national trainer with SilverSneakers, the nation’s leading fitness community for older adults, offers the following tips to enjoy yourself this holiday season while keeping your fitness goals top of mind:

  1. Make treats exactly that, a treat: Avoid hovering by the dessert table all night. Allow yourself one treat per holiday party and then seek out healthy options, such as a veggie tray. Or, better yet, split desserts with friends so that you can enjoy all the flavors while staying on track with calories.
  2. Make time for exercise: While the holidays are a busy time, set time aside each week to exercise. If you have family in town, gather the group together and go for walks each morning. You can catch up with each other as you get your steps in, and set an example for your youngest family members.
  3. Don’t skip meals: Don’t starve yourself in preparation for the big holiday dinner. Breakfast is an important part of your day to kick-start metabolism. Further, eat healthy snacks throughout the day to boost your metabolism.
  4. Try a new exercise class: The excitement of trying something new can spark even more motivation to work out. Make the holiday season the time to try a class you’ve been thinking about.
  5. Recruit a workout buddy: It’s much harder to skip a workout when you have a friend who is relying on you to participate. Find a friend who can share your fitness routine during the holiday season and keep you accountable to your goals.

For more than 25 years, SilverSneakers has been helping older adults reach their fitness goals, maximize their health, maintain their lifestyle and improve overall well-being.

To see if you are eligible or to find a class in your area, visit www.SilverSneakers.com.

Week of December 21, 2017

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Week of December 21, 2017

The Town Line Christmas Schedule

The Town Line will not publish an issue on Thursday, December 28, 2017. The staff will be enjoying its annual vacation. The office will be closed during the week of December 25. We will re-open on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

May you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

— from The Town Line staff, Board of Directors and all contributors   

Save the Olde Mill fundraiser reaches preliminary goal

Vassalboro’s “SAVE THE MILL” Campaign and Ray Breton thank all of who were involved in hard work and donations towards repair of the roof of the Olde Mill in downtown North Vassalboro! The $7,000 mark has been reached, and they still have a long way to go!  As many of you know, The Olde Mill, in downtown North Vassalboro, sustained significant roof damage as a result of the storm of October 28 – 29, 2017. The estimate for repairs is $250,000…. [read more…]

Your Local News

China Board to review Varney application, hold public hearing

CHINA — At their Dec. 12 meeting, China Planning Board members heard pieces of two applications that will be before them again in January 2018 and later. One they have already reviewed at length, Parris and Catherine Varney’s controversial application to use their barn at 701 Neck Road for weddings and other private, community and public events….

Vass. Selectmen plan ahead; set holiday schedule, and town meeting date for June 4

VASSALBORO — Vassalboro selectmen spent most of their Dec. 14 meeting planning ahead, including proposing multiple events in which town voters will – or should – take part. One of the longer discussions was over the Christmas holiday schedule. State employees have been given holiday time from Friday, Dec. 22, through Tuesday, Dec. 26, and some municipalities follow the state schedule….

Guitar concert benefit foundation

FAIRFIELD — The 16th Annual ‘Warming Up for Christmas’ benefit Guitar Concert honoring Cassidy Charette brought more than 600 people to the Williamson Auditorium, in Fairfield, on December 2 and raised over $12,300 for the ShineOnCass Foundation…..

Leyna Tobey graduates from Merrimack College

AUGUSTA — Leyna Tobey, of Augusta, recently graduated from Merrimack College, in North Andover, Massachusetts, during the 67th commencement exercises on May 21….

King named to NEWMAC All Sportsmanship team

FAIRFIELD — Abby King, of Fairfield, a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in Worcester, Massachusetts, was one of seven fall WPI student-athletes to earn a spot on their respective sports All-Sportsmanship team….

Give Us Your Best Shot!

Winnie Merrill, daughter of Helen Mosher, of China, and Pat Clark, of Palermo, share some pictures of Maine!

Do you have news about your town? Send us an email and let us know!
Visit our contact page!

Obituaries – week of December 21, 2017

WATERVILLE – Joan Bouchard, 71, passed away December 1, 2017 at her home in Waterville. She was born November 25, 1946 in St Francis, the daughter of Alphonse and Mary (Hutchison) Bouchard….. and 9 others…

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Town Line Original Columnists

Roland D. HalleeSCORES & OUTDOORS: December, Christmas, Santa Claus and flying reindeer

by Roland D. Hallee | While driving down the interstate recently, I noticed signs along the way that read, “Slow down, only reindeer can fly.” Well, that made me think that Christmas is quickly sneaking up on us, and as everyone knows, it is the day that Santa Claus comes down the chimney bearing gifts. And, we also know, Santa arrives at your house in a sleigh powered by eight flying “reindeer.” So, what are reindeer?…
December, Christmas, Santa Claus and flying reindeer

ERIC’S TECH TALK: Net Neutrality goes nuclear

by Eric W. Austin | Do you like your cable TV service? I hope so, because your internet service is about to get a whole lot more like it! On Thursday last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), headed up by Trump appointee and former Verizon employee Ajit Pai, voted 3-2, along party lines, to repeal Obama-era rules that prevented internet providers from favoring some internet traffic over others….
Net Neutrality goes nuclear

Emily Cates

GARDEN WORKS: Making the best of a thaw + great tips for the die-hard greenthumb in winter

by Emily Cates | Freeze and thaw, freeze and thaw. Such is the character of the ground this time of year. While the thought of gardening is iffy at best (without season extenders, that is), a determined gardener can still work in the dirt if the opportunity presents itself between freezes. Outrageous?….
Making the best of a thaw + great tips for the die-hard greenthumb in winter

Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI – Movie: Dark Mountain; Composer: Beethoven

by Peter Cates | My first experience of Mozart came with the beautiful set of his 40th Symphony, three Columbia 78s recorded in 1937, that were given to me in seventh grade – I remember to this day the captivating, rolling rhythms of the opening movement. The conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961), had a knack, at his best, for making music heavenly sounding and he had a greater number of recordings than any other conductor, during the ‘30s and ‘40s, that were first class in both performance and sound….
Movie: Dark Mountain; Composer: Beethoven

Marilyn Rogers-Bull & PercySolon & Beyond

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy | Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club met on Saturday, December 9, for their annual Christmas Party with all 12 members, three leaders and five visitors in attendance. Items were collected for the Somerset Human Society as one of the clubs community projects….
SOLON & BEYOND

Katie Ouilette WallsIf Walls Could Talk

by Katie Ouilette | We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years! WALLS, yes, it is the day all of us have been looking forward to, but let us hope that our faithful readers know that the promise of Christmas is really with us until next December 2018….
IF WALLS COULD TALK

I’m Just Curious: Christmas Memory

by Debbie Walker | I had it all figured out, what I would do for my column this week. In fact it is about half typed and waiting its turn, but it won’t be this week. I don’t even remember what was said that sent me back in time for a blast of the past, but I’m happy it did. Great Grammie Smith lived across the road from us in a little bitty trailer, probably 30 feet of snug. I loved that tiny little home….
Christmas Memory

For Your Health: Top Five Tips To Stay Fit This Holiday Season

(NAPSI)—While visions of sugarplums may be dancing in your head, don’t let your fitness and diet goals get pushed to the side during the holidays. For many, it is the season of overindulgence—from holiday parties complete with decadent sweets and cocktails, to unexpected dinners out with friends and family. However, treats should be balanced with nutritious options and a healthy fitness routine. Don’t let short-term temptation derail you from achieving your long-term health goals in 2018….

Give Us Your Best Shot!, Week of December 21, 2017

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RARE SIGHT: Pat Clark, of Palermo, photographed this rare variegated oak seedling last summer.

 

WINTER WONDERLAND: Winnie Merrill, daughter of Helen Mosher, of China, captured this winter wonderland photo of a bluebird at her home in Harpswell last February.

Have you taken a picture showing the beauty of Maine? Send it to The Town Line! Visit our Contact page!

Answer to Roland’s Trivia Question, Week of December 21, 2017

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Answer to Roland’s Trivia Question of the Week:

Name the four NFL quarterbacks to have been the winning quarterback in at least three Super Bowls.

Answer: Tom Brady 5, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana, 4 each, and Troy Aikman, 3.

<– back to The Town Line

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The reindeer-powered sleigh

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Christmas is quickly sneaking up on us, and as everyone knows, it is the day that Santa Claus comes down the chimney bearing gifts. And, we also know, Santa arrives at your house in a sleigh powered by eight flying “reindeer.” So, what are reindeer?

The reindeer, Rangifer tarandus, also known as caribou when wild in North America, is an Arctic and Subarctic-dwelling deer, widespread and numerous in those areas.

The name “caribou” comes, through French, from Mi’kmaq qalipu, meaning “snow shoveler,” referring to its habit of pawing through the snow for food.

Originally, the reindeer was found in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Russia, Mong­olia and northern China north of the 50th latitude. In North America, it was found in Canada, Alaska and the northern contiguous USA from Washington state to Maine. During the late Pleistocene era, reindeer were found as far south as Nevada and Tennessee.

Today, wild reindeer have disappeared from many areas within this large historical range, especially from the southern parts, where it vanished almost everywhere. Large populations are still found in Norway, Siberia, Greenland, Alaska and Canada.

Caribou and reindeer numbers have fluctuated historically, but many herds are in decline across this range, with the decline linked to climate change and industrial disturbance of habitat for sedentary, non-migratory herds.

The reindeer travels the furthest of any terrestrial mammal, walking up to 3,100 miles a year, although in Europe, the animal does not migrate as far. Normally traveling from 12-34 miles a day, the caribou can run at speeds of 37-50 mph.

The reindeer hooves adapt to the season: in the summer, when the tundra is soft and wet, the footpads become sponge-like and provide extra traction. In the winter, the pads shrink and tighten, exposing the rim of the hoof, which cuts into the ice and crusted snow to keep it from slipping.

caribou

The reindeer coat has two layers of fur, a dense woolly undercoat and longer-haired overcoat consisting of hollow, air-filled hairs.

There are a variety of predators that prey heavily on reindeer. Golden eagles prey on calves and are the most prolific hunter on calving grounds. Woverines, brown bears, polar bears and gray wolves also prey on newborn calves or sickly animals. The gray wolf is the most effective natural predator of adult reindeer.

Reindeer hunting by humans has a very long history. Humans started hunting reindeer in the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods, and humans are today the main predator in many areas. Norway and Greenland have unbroken traditions of hunting wild reindeer from the ice age until the present day.

Reindeer meat is popular in the Scandinavian countries where reindeer meatballs are sold canned, and sautéed reindeer a best known dish in Lapland. In Alaska and Finland, reindeer sausage is sold in supermarkets and grocery stores. Reindeer meat is very tender and lean. Caribou have been a major source of subsistence for Canadian Inuit.

The first written description of reindeer is found in Julius Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico (chapter 6.26), from the first century BC: “There is an ox shaped like a stag. In the middle of its forehead a single horn grows between its ears, taller and straighter than the animal horns with which we are familiar. At the top of this horns spreads out like the palm of a hand or the branches of a tree. The females are of the same form as the males, and their horns are the same shape and size.”

Getting back to Christmas, Santa’s reindeer were first named in the anonymously-written 1823 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” (“Twas the Night Before Christmas,” later credited to Clement Clarke Moore), and were called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Dunder and Blixem. Dunder was later changed to Donder, and still again to Donner (German for “thunder.”). Blixem was later changed to Bliksem, then Blitzen (German for “lightning”). Some consider Rudolph as part of the group as well, though he was not part of the original work. Rudolph was added by Robert L. May in 1939 as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”

So, if you leave cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas eve, don’t forget some lichens, and leaves of willows and birches, for the reindeer.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Name the four NFL quarterbacks to have been the winning quarterback in at least three Super Bowls.

Answer here!

Legal Notices, Week of December 21, 2017

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STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
COURT ST.,
SKOWHEGAN, ME
SOMERSET, ss
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
18-A MRSA sec. 3-801

The following Personal Representatives have been appointed in the estates noted. The first publication date of this notice is December 21, 2017.

If you are a creditor of an estate listed below, you must present your claim within four months of the first publication date of this Notice to Creditors by filing a written statement of your claim on a proper form with the Register of Probate of this Court or by delivering or mailing to the Personal Representative listed below at the address published by his name, a written statement of the claim indicating the basis therefore, the name and address of the claimant and the amount claimed or in such other manner as the law may provide. See 18-A MRSA 3-804.

2017-331 – Estate of SHANE E. DOYLE, late of Anson, Me deceased. JoAnna M. Clukey, 414 Ames Road, Cornville, Me 04976 appointed Personal

2017-332 – Estate of RICHARD E. CLEMONS, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. Richard E. Longewin, 13 Wiley Street, Dover-Foxcroft, Me 04426 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-178 – Estate of DONALD W. MARTIN, late of Anson, Me deceased. Debra J. Sullivan, 79 Audubon Road, Norwood, MA 02062 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-334 – Estate of GEORGE H. STAPLES, late of Pittsfield, Me deceased. Susan M. Staples, 59 NE Village Road, Concord, NH 03301 and Beth D. Staples, 1389 State Street, Veazie, Me 04401 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2017-339 – Estate of MARION MCCAIG, late of St Albans, Me deceased. Diane Phillips, 911 Irving St. NE, Washington, DC, 20017 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-344 – Estate of JULIE A. JEWELL, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. H. Stephen Jewell, 299 Russell Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-346 – Estate of ROGER M. EMERSON aka ROGER EMERSON aka ROGER M. EMERSON JR, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Bettina L. Emerson, PO Box 174, Palmyra, Me 04965 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-347 – Estate of JOYCE V. DAVIS, late of Palmyra, Me deceased. Michele Hubbard, PO Box 55, Palmyra, Me 04965 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-349 – Estate of KEVIN S. JUDKINS, late of Solon, Me deceased. Christopher Judkins, 39 Red Bridge Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-350 – Estate of BARBARA E. SMITH, late of Madison, Me deceased. Cindy J. Bossie, 28 Perkins St. Madison, Me 04950 and Lisa M. Murray, 70 Blue Ridge Drive East, Sidney, Me 04330 appointed Co-Personal Representatives.

2017-351 – Estate of MYRTLE L. MARBLE, late of Hartland, Me deceased. Deanna R. Tilton, 140 Raymond Street, Pittsfield, Me 04967 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-352 – Estate of JOANNE M. WOODARD, late of Skowhegan, Me deceased. James Darin Woodard, 25 Prescelly Drive, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-353 – Estate of KERRY D. HEBERT, late of Starks, Me deceased. Jennifer Weig Hebert, PO Box 582, Starks, Me 04911 appointed Personal Representative.

2017-354 – Estate of BYRON D. POOLER, late of Madison, Me deceased. Morgan J. Pooler, P.O. Box 121, Jay, Maine 04239 appointed Personal Representative.

IN ADDITION: A claim against the following estate may be presented to the Franklin County Probate Court, 140 Main Street, Suite 6, Farmington, Me 04938.

2017-0189 – Estate of GEORGE H. TAYLOR, late of Fairfield, Me deceased. George A. Taylor, 171 Back Road, Skowhegan, Me 04976 appointed Personal Representative.

To be published on December 21, 2017 & December 28, 2017.
Dated: December 18, 2017 /s/ Victoria Hatch, Register of Probate
(1/4)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS
Estate of MYRTLE L. MARBLE
DOCKET NO. 2017-351

It appearing that the following heirs of MYRTLE L. MARBLE, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:

Blaine Lovely
Wanda Lovely
Marvin Wayne Lovely

THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heirs of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.

This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication date to be December 21, 2017.

Names and address of Personal Representative: Deanna R. Tilton, 140 Raymond Street, Pittsfield, Me 04967.

Dated: December 21, 2017
/s/ Victoria M. Hatch
Register of Probate
(1/4)

STATE OF MAINE
PROBATE COURT
SOMERSET, SS
NOTICE TO HEIRS
Estate of
ROGER M. EMERSON, JR
DOCKET NO. 2017-346

It appearing that the following heirs of ROGER M. EMERSON JR, as listed in an Application for Informal Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative is of unknown address as listed below:

Unknown names and unknown addresses

THEREFORE, notice is hereby given as heirs of the above named estate, pursuant to Maine Rules of Probate Procedure Rule 4(d) (1) (a), and Rule 4 (e) a.

This notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks in The Town Line, with the first publication date to be December 21, 2017 & December 28, 2017.

Names and address of Personal Representative: Bettina L. Emerson, PO Box 174, Palmyra, Me 04965.

Dated: December 18, 2017
/s/ Victoria Hatch,
Register of Probate
(1/4)

Leyna Tobey graduates from Merrimack College

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Leyna Tobey, of Augusta, recently graduated from Merrimack College, in North Andover, Massachusetts, during the 67th commencement exercises on May 21. Tobey received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.

I’m Just Curious: Christmas memory

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by Debbie Walker

I had it all figured out, what I would do for my column this week. In fact it is about half typed and waiting its turn, but it won’t be this week.

I don’t even remember what was said that sent me back in time for a blast of the past, but I’m happy it did.

Great Grammie Smith lived across the road from us in a little bitty trailer, probably 30 feet of snug. I loved that tiny little home.

I absolutely adored that woman. I sat by her poor arthritic feet with her running her crippled hands through my hair. She had the softest touch. I know how lucky I was to have her in my life, in fact until I was 18 and I know how unusual that is.

All of that to tell you about a Christmas we had one year. I had found a teal colored (unusual color for back then) pants suit in the Sears catalog. I was in love and immediately started my campaign for it. I tormented Mom and she finally told me it wasn’t happening that year. Well, look out Gram, here I come.

And I did torment Grammie. Well, I knew Mom didn’t order that suit but there was a chance Gram might. Every day when I went over to Gram’s I’d go wake her up and I would start searching that little trailer until she came out of the bedroom. I would be sitting in her rocking chair that she always used. I hunted every nook and corner and NOTHING!

Christmas came and Dad went over and brought Grammie back to see us kids open our presents. We did, we opened our gifts and of course I was getting worried that my begging had not worked. Well, Dad pulled out a package from under the tree and it was a gift from Grammie to me. I opened it and oh my goodness, my SUIT!! As soon as I realized what it was, Grammie laughed right out loud. She had put one over on me and she was still chuckling when she told me she knew I searched that trailer. She was so proud as she told me I had sat on my wonderful suit for weeks, it was under Grams cushion.

She was never to let me forget my ordeal. She always chuckled when she thought of it.

I’m just curious if any of this reminded you of any of your family’s experiences. I would love to hear the stories. Contact me at dwdaffy@yahoo.com. Thanks for reading and please check out the changes to the website.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Movie: Dark Mountain; Composer: Beethoven

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Peter CatesREVIEW POTPOURRI

by Peter Cates

How I started collecting records

My first experience of Mozart came with the beautiful set of his 40th Symphony, three Columbia 78s recorded in 1937, that were given to me in seventh grade – I remember to this day the captivating, rolling rhythms of the opening movement. The conductor, Sir Thomas Beecham (1879-1961), had a knack, at his best, for making music heavenly sounding and he had a greater number of recordings than any other conductor, during the ‘30s and ‘40s, that were first class in both performance and sound.

Beecham was also quite the wit. A colleague of his, who remembered the conductor dismissing the composer, Brahms, as boring during his youth, noticed years later that Beecham conducted Brahms very well and asked if the latter had changed his mind: “No, Brahms still bores me but he bores me less. ”

Dark Mountain

starring Robert Lowery, Ellen Drew, Regis Toomey, etc.; directed by William Berke; Paramount Pictures; 1944; 57 minutes.

Robert Lowery

Regis Toomey

Dark Mountain deals with a newly promoted forest ranger, Don, who patrols the Dark Mountain region in an unnamed western state. At his boss’s insistence, he takes a long overdue vacation to visit his girlfriend, Kay, with a marriage proposal. However, because Don has been away for months, Kay has married Steve, a very successful businessman and exceptionally considerate husband to Kay.

Don returns early to his job, discouraged; meanwhile Kay finds out hubby Steve is a murderous racketeer and escapes to the mountain to hide, with Don’s help. Steve tracks her and the suspense accelerates. A high speed chase in a car loaded with explosives leads to Steve’s fiery death and a happily ever after for the predictably reunited lovers.

Ellen Drew

Zdenek Kosler

Although the story was ho-hum, I enjoyed certain aspects of this B film – the black and white footage of a forest fire at the beginning, with its quite convincing authenticity; and the classy acting and presence of Robert Lowery (1913-1971) as Ranger Don and the skillful sustaining of charm and menace from longtime character actor, Regis Toomey (1898-1991), fresh from his work in the classic Bogie film, The Big Sleep.

Lowery was later a fixture of ‘50s TV. In fact, I have a still vivid childhood memory of him as a friend of Clark Kent in a 1956 episode of Superman, ‘The Deadly Rock’, in which he too has a dangerous vulnerability to Kryptonite.

Beethoven

Symphony No. 3, the Eroica; Zdenek Kosler conducting the Slovak Philharmonic; DM-2-1009.

Ludwig van B’s 3rd Symphony was such an assertive, heroic, rhythmically-aggressive 45 minutes of glorious, at times noble and sublime music, needing a larger orchestra than the Symphonies 1 and 2 and it has received a fine performance from the late Maestro Kosler and his musicians, one of a very large number of quality recordings, of which I own and cherish dozens of them. It often stimulates the best efforts of players because of its monumental grandeur. And this performance is very cheap when available.

A little quibble. There is no information on the music and, while Kosler’s name is listed in two of the three spots ID’ing the conductor, another gifted maestro, Libor Pesek, has his in the third space. Personally, I believe Kosler is the right name due to its frequency of listing and the driving intensity of the performance while Pesek has a more lyrical poetic approach when he conducts. But I will not be dogmatic here!

IF WALLS COULD TALK, Week of December 21, 2017

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Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years! WALLS, yes, it is the day all of us have been looking forward to, but let us hope that our faithful readers know that the promise of Christmas is really with us until next December 2018.

By the way, do you remember my Aunt Mary Foss? Yes, she lived to the ripe age of 107 and I learned so much about living through the years from her. When she married, she and Uncle Lee lived with her in-laws at the Foss Farm on the East Madison Road, Yes, before they bought their ‘little house’ on the Madison Road, in Madison. She worked at Cumming’s Mill in East Madison and walked to and from work every day of the week and, when back at the farm, she worked in the garden or in the barn.

Y’know, WALLS, when our parents have told us to work hard, Aunt Mary is proof of the reward.

WALLS, I just have to tell you about the Best Wishes calendar that Aunt Mary gave me many years ago and it has been on my kitchen window sill ever since. It is a ‘no year date’ calendar and I change the day every day. This is what I found as I changed the pages to when The Town Line will probably be ready for our faithful readers to pick up before Christmas. Entitled ‘The Gift’ on December 21 reads: “What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a Wise Man I would do my part. Yet what can I give him? Give my heart.” Oh, faithful readers and WALLS, It is time to share with you the poem that is on a cup from which I often drink my coffee each morning. The cup is very old and was given to me when I became a Nana. The poem? “When days are long and mothers are riled, Nanas are God’s gift to a child.”

Well, WALLS, you know that I am a Nana, with grandkids and great-grands, so I have been blessed many times. So, Merry Christmas to all of you who someone calls ‘Nana’ and, yes. WALLS wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! (Woops, the phone just rang and Dean is in Maine…….and “freezing,” he says…different from Bellingham, Washington….but “welcome” to Maine!)