SOLON & BEYOND, Week of November 10, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

Every year Eleanor Pooler, 4-H leader of the Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club, has invited me (and now Lief) to the Family Supper held at the Solon Masonic Hall. This year, as always, she told me about it early and I wrote the date down and told her we would be there. A little before six o’clock that night our phone rang and it was Eleanor (the time for the meal was 5:30 p.m.) and she still wanted us to come up to it! We rushed around and ignored speed limits as we didn’t want to be too late, and they had waited for us to get there before sitting down to eat! Now isn’t that a very nice and thoughtful thing to do!? My only excuse for forgetting about the supper is that I have been right out straight, working on cleaning out my house and getting ready for the craft fair last Saturday. The supper was very good, and then the awards and money the members received from exhibiting at the fairs were passed out.

The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club received the Outstanding Club Award. Several of the members were absent that night because of something else going on, but there are 13 members this year. All of the members received certificates of recognition for their record sheets. Cooper Dellarma received outstanding county award in arts and crafts, Michaela Mardon received a county award in photography. Wendy Currier received a outstanding volunteer award. Lief and I appreciate being asked to attend this annual Family Night Supper, thank you very much.

Recently Eleanor Pooler and husband Rance attended the 125th anniversary of O.E.S. in Maine at Point Lookout, in Northport. There were over 200 people present for the meal and entertainment.

On Saturday, November 12, a complete turkey dinner will be served at the Embden Community Building at 5 p.m., donations will be accepted.

Just got interrupted by one of the many political telephone calls these days ….. I will be so-soo-so glad when this election is over with!

There will be a country jam/open mic at the Embden Community Building on Sunday, November 13, from 1 – 4 p.m. Thanks to Carol Dolan, this information about up coming events is much appreciated, I haven’t printed the events coming up in December at this time, but will in a later column.

Had lots of fun last Saturday at the North Anson Snowmobile Craft Fair. Amanda and I shared a table, Lief also helped. Many people stopped by to visit and purchase our hand made items. Lief and I displayed some of our paintings that were for sale.

The afternoon ended with another problem though. My plan was to go to Connie Hopkins’ funeral at the Solon Congregational Church at 2 o’clock, and so since the craft fair didn’t end until 3 p.m., I was going to have to leave early, but Amanda stayed until the end and I rode back to Solon to the funeral with Mary and Dave. Then, after the funeral, I accompanied Dave and Mary up to Bingham for the burial. As we were riding along I got a desperate phone call from Lief saying he got locked out of our house, without his hat and coat on, (he thought maybe I had my keys with me, but I didn’t!) After the burial, I rode home with Mary and Dave, and Lief had managed to get the garage door up just enough so that Mary could squeeze under it to get into the garage and open the door so Lief could get in the house and get warmed up. Much love and thanks go to my daughter for saving the day. I’m hoping that was the last adventure we will have for awhile.

And so for Percy’s memoir: from Ralph Waldo Emerson; Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense. This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on yesterdays.

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of November 3, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

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

The annual Holly Shop Craft Fair at the North Anson Congregational Church will be held on November 12 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

And now for the adventure that happened to us in Rangeley on our vacation there a week ago. Lief loves shrimp, and especially shrimp on a stick, which is served at an establishment in Rangeley. We decided to go to this place on the Friday before we returned home for supper. When we got near the place, a parking spot was hard to find. As we finally were parking we noticed a cop coming out of the building, and my thought was whether I really wanted to go in there, but we did.

We were met right at the door the minute we walked in by one of the loud party goers, and his first words to Lief were, “You have a lovely young lady with you tonight.” He was obviously either high on drugs or alcohol or both, I didn’t pay attention to anything else he was saying to Lief, but was looking over the noisy gathering in front of us. All of a sudden I saw Lief start to go through this raucous bunch and couldn’t believe my eyes when he drew off and punched a guy on the shoulder, that was standing across the room. My immediate thought was, this could get nasty…and so I sent a quick prayer heavenward and marched into the fray! I grabbed the back of Lief’s jacket and dragged him back toward the door. Was shaking pretty bad by that time, and there was an empty table, so we sat down. The first thing I said to Lief was, “Why did you do that?” And his reply was “The guy told me to do it!”

One of the things I love about Lief is his great sense of humor, but he took it to a new level that night! And no, we didn’t sit there very long, but left and found another calmer place to have a meal. Will we go back again for Lief’s shrimp on a stick, definitely, but not on a Friday night! (I let Lief edit this and he said it was OK to send it but you can ask him for his version when you see him!)

I will laugh even harder the next time someone says to me, “What can you possibly find to do in Rangeley for a week?” (So many have asked that question!) But we do other odd things as well, like we did this time, it was much calmer and we laughed a lot! We sat for two hours beside a moose waller (mud hole where moose have been) on the road between Stratton and Rangeley hoping to have a moose come out so we could get a picture of it. Finally, when it was getting along toward dark, with no success, we traveled back to Rangeley.

After reading the above, you all must know how desperate I am for your news, please do contact me (soon) with your goings on.

And hope you will enjoy Percy’s memoir, he has used this one before, but I feel it is worth repeating! “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” (words by Albert Einstein.) Hope all of you reading this believe in miracles!

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of October 20, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

The East Madison Historical Association is hosting a hunters breakfast/brunch on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. – noon, at the East Madison Fire Station, just north of the village on East Madison Rd.
The Wildwood Band will be playing at the Embden Community Center Gym on Saturday, October 29, at 7 – 11 p.m. Dance/Show. Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume.

The Anson-North Anson Snowmobile Club will hold its annual craft fair at Carrabec High School on Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Snowmobile Club will continue to sell hot food and desserts as a fundraiser.

The Solon Congregational Church will be holding their holiday craft fair at the Solon Elementary School on Saturday, November 12, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch. They are doing a couple of new things this year such as a Kids Room, which will feature inexpensive, gently used items for kids to buy for their family members for Christmas gifts and gift wrapping will be included! Also, there will be several themed gift baskets and other items for a Chinese Auction table.

Jennifer Hebert sent me the information and she wrote, “We are always hoping for more and more crafters/vendors each year, and feel that we have some great offerings thus far. Our plan is to expand out of the gym with spaces hopefully.” To call for a table rental , the number is 643-2180.
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #39, of Madison, is holding its 31st Annual Craft Fair at the American Legion Post #39, at 20 S. Maple St., Madison, on Saturday, November 12, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. The table fee will be $ 10. Because of the popularity of this craft fair they are implementing two table maximum per crafter. An early response would help them to plan the spaces to the best possible advantage of everyone and insures you a reserved spot. For more information you may call Robin Turek at 6968289.

The Embden Thrift Shop is having a bag sale on all children’s clothing (babies, children, and teens)this week. It is open Wed., Fri. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Lending Library is open on those same days and hours.

The Pilgrim Fellowship Youth Group of the North Anson Congregational Church went to Houston Brook Falls after church last Sunday, their were over 20 of them including leaders. Ages for joining this fellowship are grades 5 through 12 and they meet twice a month, their next meeting is on Sunday, November 6, from 6 – 7:30 pm. For more information you may call Mary Walz at 635-2137.

Lief and I spent last week in Rangeley and we had a wonderful time. Was going to write about one of the adventures we had, but it would take up too much space, perhaps another time. The colors were absolutely out of this world, there aren’t enough words to describe them! We took a ride up to Saddleback Mountain one day, we were lucky to catch someone there to talk with. He was on his cell phone for quite awhile, and when he got off the phone he said, “Do you want to buy the place? For $40 million you could have it up and running!” We declined the offer. But it is so sad that someone with lots of money couldn’t start it up again. There are lots and lots of empty condos that go with the place, and the views on this perfect fall day were spectacular.

And so to Percy’s memoirs: If I had my life to live over, I would perhaps have more actual troubles but fewer imaginary ones, eat more ice cream and less beans. (words by Harold Kushner). And now some advice from George Washington, a respected president. “When government takes away citizens’ right to bear arms it becomes citizens’ duty to take away government’s right to govern.”

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of October 13, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

Historian Steve Pinkham will discuss the naming of the Carrabassett at the Stewart Public Library in North Anson on October 17, at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend this well-researched topic.
Received an e-mail from the Somerset Woods Trustees…I don’t know about you, but every time I go to a store, I either have forgotten my reusable bags or I don’t have enough. Here’s your chance to stock up on a few extra to keep in your car so you will always have enough when needed and help Somerset Woods Trustees improve our preserves for you and our communities.

“Launch Day’ for the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program was the first day of October. They have the entire month of October, in which they will receive $1 from each blue Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag purchased at the Skowhegan Hannaford location.

Please show your support by purchasing these beautifully designed, blue reusable bags with the good karma messaging at Hannaford! They can be found at the reusable bag rack and various registers.

These bags are much stronger than most and hold more groceries!

The ‘modest’ goal is to sell 1,000 bags but they have only the month of October. Went up to Bingham one day recently to see if I could find out information about the wind tower project. It is just about completed and was told that the small trailers used for offices will be moved and the building on Rte. 201 which was used as head quarters will be vacant by November 1.

The project to erect 56 towers took around two years to complete, and 80 percent of the workers employed were from Maine.

You can see many of these approximately 330-foot tall towers as you travel up Route 16 from Moscow to Kingsbury. They held up traffic in some of Maine’s rural roads, especially on corners, getting to their final destination.

I told two of the ones I talked to about going for a ride and seeing the huge blades turning very, very slowly when there wasn’t even a breeze blowing. How they laughed, they said up where the towers were there definitely was wind blowing!

One of the guys that I talked with was Dominique Cyr, he is the project engineer, and his words were, “It’s nice to see them all running when they are done.”

Don’t know how many of you may have seen Dan Cassidy’s column INside the OUTside, when he wrote about this same project in The Town Line. He called it, Bingham, Mayfield and Kingsbury become wind power sites in his article back in July. It was very interesting and informative.

Percy’s memoir this week is… New Beginnings. How often we wish for another chance To make a fresh beginning, A chance to blot out our mistakes And change failure into winning – And it does not take a new year to make a brand new start, To try with all your heart To live a little better And to always be forgiving And to add a little “sunshine” To the world in which we’re living – So never give up in despair And think that you are through, For there’s always a tomorrow And a chance to start anew. (words by Helen Steiner Rice.)

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of October 6, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club met on September 17 with President Adam Peters presiding. The members have exhibited in four fairs this year and have done very well.

This being the last meeting of  2015-2016 year the members worked on their record sheets. The members voted to display their projects at the Coolidge Library in observance of National 4-H Club week.

After the meeting the club members went to North Star Orchard. They enjoyed a wagon ride and picked a bag of apples for themselves.

A re-dedication of the North Anson Congregational Church was held on September 25, at the church. Every Thursday, there is Bible study at 11:30 a.m., and choir rehearsal at 6:45 p.m. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. A potluck luncheon followed the service.

This is more news from the Solon School newspaper: Students in grades K-1 will be given the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment in September to help identify students who might need extra help to enable them to reach benchmarks for their grade level in reading by the end of the year. They will be assessed again in January and May.

All first grade students are given the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) to help monitor their reading achievement and design programs to increase their reading skills. These tests are also given to new students and those who have received Title 1 services in the past.

All students in grades K-5 took the Measures of Academic Progress from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) last spring. This test will be given again in reading and math in the spring to assess students’ progress over the course of the school year. Kindergartners and new students will take the test this fall, and teachers can choose to test their students in the fall and winter if they wish to do so to monitor students’ progress.

In the spring, the students in grades 3-5 will participate in the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), taking tests in reading, writing, and math. Fifth graders also take a science test.

The Solon Fire Department Auxiliary will be having a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, October 8, from 4 – 7 p.m., at the Solon Elementary School. There will be a door prize and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will benefit the Solon Fire Department.

And so I leave you with Percy’s memoir once more in hopes of cheering you. It is entitled, Measure Your Lifetime in Blessings: “Measure your lifetime in blessings, Not in the years you have known… Count up the number of people you’ve touched, Add up the love you have shown… Measure your days in the gladness That you and your loved ones have shared … Tally the smiles on the faces of friends, Total the times you have cared … Yes, measure your lifetime in blessings, And you’ll always remain in your prime – For youth is a feeling you keep in your heart, Whether 7 or 79.” (words by Larry Sandman)

Blessings are where we least expect them! The other day Lief and I were in Ken’s having lunch, and as he always does, he had said the blessing before we ate.  A couple came up to our table and the woman grabbed Lief’s hand , and sincerely thanked him for saying the blessing. That is the second time this has happened, when people that we don’t know, (the other time was up in the ‘County’) stop and comment about the blessing. With God, having been taken out of so many things, I’m not surprised at their caring, and it does mean so much

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 22, 2016

/0 Comments/in /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

On Saturday, September 24, from 2 – 4 p.m., the Madison Historical Society will host speaker/author Louise Hunt who will give her history of being a Wabanaki woman growing up on Indian Island. She also will speak about Father Rasle. Her book is entitled, In the Shadow of the Steel Cross. There will be light refreshments.

Solon Elementary School welcomes their new preschool teacher, Carissa Booker to the school this fall. Ms. Booker graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington and worked for part of last year in the Special Ed Department at Carrabec Community School. She replaces Jen Hebert, who is now the supervisor and the Family Services Coordinator for the preschool program in RSU #74.

Also welcomed is Mathew Brown, who is the new health teacher. He graduated from the University of Maine in Orono and taught previously at North Yarmouth Academy. Brown is teaching health in the K-5 students in the district and is also teaching physical education at CCS and Garret Schenck.

The Solon K-5 students will visit Lakewood Theatre on September 26 to attend their fall production of The Icicle Princess performed by the Lakewood Jesters. This is the 18th year that Lakewood has produced a show specially customized for elementary students.

The play lasts about an hour, and students get to interact with the performers during the show and meet them after the show. We are fortunate to have this historic theater so close to home. Parents are welcome to join us on this trip. Thanks to the PTO for funding the admission fees for the stedents.

Lief and I had a wonderful weekend, we attended a late 80th birthday party for him held in Ellsworth by his sisters. Six of his nine sisters were in attendance along with other relatives to help him celebrate. His son Dean and wife Cheryl came from Georgia and his daughter, Cindy came from New York. Granddaughter Ashley and great-granddaughter Haley were also there, so he was surrounded by loved ones. There was a beautiful birthday cake, ice cream, gifts and cards. It is so nice to get together with those we love.

One night when I couldn’t sleep, I started counting up how many sisters-in-law I have had over the years. Starting with Liefs’ nine, there were a total of 24, I wonder if that is a record?! I feel blessed with all of them, several are no longer with us, but their memories are there. I grew up without a sister so they are extra special.

The North Anson Congregational Church is having a yard sale on Saturday, September 24. Sorry, I don’t have the hours for it.

Percy’s memoir is a good one that we both liked: “Practice Makes Perfect…When I feel alone and lonely And my empty world seems void, I relax for just a moment And I trust joy will unfold. For in my quiet time I listen To the gentle voice within, And He hears my prayers clearly For He let’s the sunshine in. Oh, how marvelous this practice Which can make our dreams come true, But the beauty of the challenge My dear friend is you. So remember perseverance, (that was Percy’s real name!) Is a gift, but yours by choice, And if you continue in this practice Rest assured you will rejoice. For no words can ever tell you Of the treasure deep within, But with the art of silent practice He will let the sunshine in.” (words by Chris Zambernard.)

Husson University announces spring honors

/0 Comments/in , , , , , , , , , , /by

The following students have been named to the Spring 2016 honors list at Husson.

Sebastian Atkins-Taylor, of Augusta,  is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in mass communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Lelia Belanger, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in biology program.

Michayla Dostie, of Augusta, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Mary-Anne MacArthur, of Canaan, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s associate of science in paralegal studies and a bachelor of science in psychology program.

Owen Freeman, of Freedom, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Nicholas Maney, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in video production program.

Christine Boucher, of Oakland, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in kinesiology-human movement science and doctor of physical therapy program.

Mikhaila Necevski, of Oakland, is a freshman who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Megan Mahoney, of Palermo, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in elementary education program.

Alyssa Doucette, of Skowhegan, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in criminal justice and bachelor of science in psychology with a mental health rehabilitation technician/community (MHRT/C) certification program.

Anne-Marie Provencal, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in healthcare studies and master of science in occupational therapy program.

Anthony Toneatti, of Solon, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in communications technology with a concentration in live sound technology program.

Samuel Stevens, of South China, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in business administration program.

Samantha McLaughlin, of Starks, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Briana Oliver, of Starks, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in forensic science program.

Alyssa Willette, of Unity, is a junior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Caleb Cummings, of Windsor, is a sophomore who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in health sciences program.

Christine Parrilli, of Winslow, is a senior who is currently enrolled in Husson’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 15, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

Always glad when I receive the Solon School News to share with you. There is a fall open house and space night on Wednesday, September 21, from 5 – p.m. See the school, visit your child’s classroom, attend a Planetarium Show in the large indoor dome of Northern Stars Planetarium (shows at 5, 5:45, and 6:30 p.m.). Enjoy space snacks, shop at the PTO book fair.

Students will be able to enter a raffle to win a space-related door prize.

Solon Elementary School has a very active PTO, which has provided lots of special activities and items for the students over the years. Please consider joining the PTO. For information, contact PTO President Alicia Golden or the school.

The PTO generally meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. They are sponsoring a book fair during the week of September 19-23 to promote reading in the school. Students will be able to visit the book fair and purchase books, and the fair will be open to parents during open house on September 21. The proceeds from the book fair will be used for new books for the classrooms and the library.

Remember to send in your Box Tops for Education labels! Every boxtop helps the PTO rai8e money for school activities.

The PTO is looking for new parents to join them. They look forward to new members from the new families.

A message from the principal says, “Because I also serve as the Pre-K-5 principal at CCS and Garret Schenck, I am not at the Solon School fulltime. I will be there Thursday mornings, mid-day on Wednesdays, and Tueday and Friday afternoons. The school secretary Mrs. Lisa Weese can help parents with any issues they may have and can help you make contact with me if you wish to.”

Mrs. Debby Haynie continues to serve as the lead teach and will help handle discipline issues. They are pleased to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students again this year under the district’s community eligibility program. Students can buy milk or juice for snack or to go with a cold lunch if they wish for 30 cents.

Again this year the students will have healthy snacks provided through a Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Grant Program. Those will be available five days a week this year.

Please contact them if you have any questions.

Also, there is a raffle with tickets being sold at the Thrift Shop. The items can be seen in the thrift store and tickets are ($1 or 6 for $5). The drawing will be at the dinner on November 12.

The Lending Library at the Embden Community Center is open any time the Thrift Shop is open.

There will be a Musical Variety Show at the Solon Congregational Church on Saturday, September 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. A light buffet will be served. Admission is by donation.
On Sunday, September 18, Dan Schall will be making his annual trip to the North Anson Congregational Church to deliver a wonderful message and share his beautiful voice with all who attend. I heartily recommend you to attend, he is very inspiring.

Percy’s memoir leaves you with these words: “Lord thank you for another day, Within this life of mine, Give me the strength to live it well, Whatever I may find. Bestow from your abundance, Whatever I may lack To use the hours wisely, For I cannot have them back. Lord thank you for another day, In which to make amends For little slights or petty words, Inflicted on my friends. For sometimes losing patience, With problems that I find, For seeing faults in other lives, But not the ones in mine. Lord thank you for another chance, In which to try to be A little more deserving Of the gifts You’ve given me. For yesterday is over, And tomorrow’s far away, And I remain committed, To the good I do today!” (words by Grace E. Easley).

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 8, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

I am starting this column with a much appreciated e-mail message from Emmons and Barbara Pinkham: “Many thanks for the wonderful article regarding our historical society in The Town Line edition we received today. We always read your column and were delightfully surprised to see the organization in your column. We had a wonderful reception to our invitation for people to view our new building. It has taken us about six years with the help of volunteers to see our dream come true.

“Next on the agenda will be a barn to house farm equipment and also a Blacksmith shop. We still have more work ahead of us but are willing to see the completion of this project which hopefully will benefit the citizens. of Lexington and Highland.

“Since some Historical Societies had events on September 20, we are issuing an invitation to attend a special open house on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and on Sunday, September 11, from 1 – 4 p.m. Most sincerely, Emmons and Barbara Pinkham.”

My many thanks to you folks for your kind words, it is always a great pleasure to hear from those of you who read my columns. My goal has always been to give my friends, known, and unknown, words of Love and Laughter to make their lives happier. Have been trying to remember how many years I’ve been writing for several different papers, and as near as I can figure, it’s over 40! (All the other papers are no longer in business) but The Town Line is always there every Thursday, probably partly because of the great editor! (suppose I”ll get a raise for that one?)

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

Just a reminder to those interested, that the Adult Ed will be starting up at Skowhegan on Monday, September 12, for the Painting Club. I’m looking forward to old and new members!
Lief and I celebrated our fifth anniversary by going up to camp at Flagstaff last weekend. Dave and Pete were there and Peter, Sherry and Mazy went up also. The weather was perfect, blue skies and lots of sun. Lief and I love sleeping in the bunkhouse, the toilet seat in the out house was cold in the middle of the night but that’s all part of the adventure!

Came across this saved piece of history about the area that I had cut out of a Sunday paper in 2002, entitled Treasured Memories of a Place Now Covered in Water, written by William David Barry. (It was a review of the book, “There Was A Land”) And he wrote, ” On the face of it, 70 authors focusing on one subject, in one volume, does not suggest a good result. However, in the case of “There Was A Land,” a source book on life in the plantations of Flagstaff, Bigelow and Dead River before their destruction in 1949, we are given a treasure.” Later in the article he writes, “There Was A Land” might honestly be called the longest obituary ever written for a Maine community. Yet it is a story that proves as uplifting as it does wrenching. What we have in these pages is an unmatched community scrapbook – diaries, recollections, articles and photographs that describe a hardscrabble but fully functional community before the flood.”

It seems strange to me that many people still don’t know that Flagstaff Lake flows over land that was once home to several communities. When asked by the usual question, “Where did you grow up?” And I tell them Flagstaff, their mouth drops open, and they ask where it was.

OK, enough history, but I do recommend that you read the book, “There Was A Land.” – and when I get to writing about that area, you can maybe understand.
Percy’s memoir will be short this week,” “Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action.” (words by Beaconfield).

SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 1, 2016

/0 Comments/in , /by
Solon and Beyondby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

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

The family of the late Henry and Gertrude (McLaughlin) Smith held their 66th reunion on July 31 at Lake George, in Canaan. The descendants of Gertrude (Smith) Mellows were the host.

There were 38 members and two guests present. The family enjoyed a picnic lunch, with the Mellows family providing the dessert.

Elmer’s family – Eileen Western Cyr and Bert Cyr.

Harry’s family – Lester and Gail Smith, Syvia Brennan and Amelia Brennan.

Agnes’s family – None attended.

Oliver’s family – David Smith, Linda Smith, Craig and Judy Smith, Janice Gorman, John and Sheila (Smith) Callaway, Deanna Gorman, and William Gorman Jr. Guest Rachael Bolba.

Gertrude’s family – Sharon Mellows, Danyel Clark, Rosemary Mellows, Diana Merry, Paul Merry, Nathan Merry, Mary Mellows, Scott Mellows and Amanda Mellows with son Dillinger Mellows, Ross and Rhonda Merry, Jessica Merry and daughter Brooklyn Johnson, Caleb Walker (Michelle’s Son), Henry and Shirley Mellows.

Cecil’s family – None attended.

Clarissa’s family – Joan Steele and Nancy Smellie.

Vincent’s family – Katy Frost and son Griffin Patchell , Anna Meacham, Jim and Lynn Smith. Guest; Mark Martin.

The oldest family member was Rosemary Merry, age 83, and the youngest was Dillinger Mellows, age 3, Rosemary is his great-aunt.

Those from out of state were Sylvia and Amelia Brennan, from Pennsylvania; Paul Merry, from New Hampshire; and Mary Mellows, from Connecticut.

An open house and dedication of the Lexington/Highland Historical Society History House was held on August 20. The history of the project started in 1991, when eight area residents met at the camp of Emmons and Barbara Pinkham and agreed to form an organization committed to preservation of the written records, household furnishings, memorabilia and family histories of Lexington residents. Shortly after this, by-laws were written, nonprofit status was established, and they became incorporated as the Lexington Historical Association. After several unsuccessful attempts to find a “home” or site for building, a small group concentrated on building a collection. An invitation to exhibit at a New Portland Historical Society event as well as the New Portland Fair brought attention to the various resources they had collected. Numerous people stopped by these exhibits, including James and Linda Taylor of Lexington. Jim’s question, “Where do you store all this collection?” The response prompted Jim and Linda to ask if they would be interested in a piece of land to build on. Soon a planning committee was formed, the present site selected, a design based on a homestead that set at the corner of the Back Road and Longfalls Dam Road that burned in 1956, was chosen.

The East Madison Historical Association is having a fall yard and bake sale as well as a book signing on Saturday, September 3,  from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the EMHA building at 1108 East Madison Rd., just north of the village. Proceeds from the sale will benefit EMHA’s building fund.

From 9 a.m. – noon, Bob Clement will be present to sign any and all of his four books, the latest one being, “Are You Going to the Skowhegan Fair?” Books will be for sale during that time as well.

My many, many thanks to those who gave me the above news to share with you this week, it is greatly appreciated !

Percy’s memoir is: “There’s a special art to living, And you need a frame of mind That can overlook the showers, ‘Til the sun begins to shine. To develop to the fullest, You have got to understand, That things don’t always function In the way that they were planned. There’s a special art to living, And the challenge must be met, But the longer that you try it, Why the better you will get. Don’t waste your time in waiting For the world to come to you. You have to climb the mountain, To appreciate the view. (words by Grace E. Easley).