SOLON & BEYOND: Embden Community Center has many activities scheduled for January

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

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Embden Community Center is having their monthly supper on January 12, at 5 p.m.

Embden Community Center, regular events are Neighbor to Neighbor Thrift Shop/Lending library 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Wed. and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fri. and Sat. The monthly Suppers on the second Saturday of each month. Country Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m., second and fourth Sunday. By donation. Sewing Class 10 a.m. – noon, Wednesdays. Weight Watchers: 5 – 6 p.m., Wednesdays. Come in and sign up- new members accepted. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 10:30 – 1:30 a.m., Wednesdays. Community Center meetings: 6:30 p.m., Thursday prior to the second Sat. Supper. Yoga: 6:30 p.m., (1 hour) Bring your mat, etc. and Sat. 8 a.m.; weekly by donation. If you have any questions, contact Wayne at 474-1065.

We are having a vacation from our Painting Club at Skowhegan Area High School, it will be starting up again the last of February. I’m looking forward to seeing all those artists who have been with me since the beginning, and to those who may want to join us.

Lief and I had a wonderful Christmas with our families and I hope all of you enjoyed the season as well.

Came across some old clippings when I was writing for the Skowhegan Reporter back in 1988. Had forgotten this one: It started with my greeting: “Good morning my friends! The other day when I went to the post office there was a package waiting for me there with the return address to AAA (American Automobile Association). When I opened the package the card was signed by a “concerned citizen” and it is a year’s insurance with this company! The only way I know of to thank this “concerned citizen” is through this column, because I have a sneaking suspicion that they probably read it. I do thank you from the bottom of my heart, it is a comforting feeling that someone cares enough to have surprised me with this unexpected gift and as the letter enclosed states: “Welcome to Maine and dependable travel world-wide! From this point on, everywhere you go, we go, providing all the protection and convenient services you need every time you leave home. “It is a bleak and hopeless feeling to break down along the road as I can vouch the day my wheel broke off; and so my many thanks for the kind thought until this detective mind of mine finds out who you and I can thank you in person!

Here is another one published in the Skowhegan Reporter on October 13, 1988. After writing this column for over six years, some weeks I am hard put to think of something amusing or uplifting to share with you. Such was the case this week and then lo and behold on Saturday what should I find in my mail but an official looking letter from Central Maine Power Co. My heart skipped a beat and I opened it with trepidation because when I get riled over “the principle of the thing” I’m apt to get a bit sassy! Anyway, inside, much to my wondering eyes was a check for $48.73: this was the $50 deposit that I was told I couldn’t get back until 1993! They had added on $1.47 in interest and subtracted $2.74 for final bill, there is something very final about “final bill.” Now whether this was one of those miracles that sometimes happen in my life or “the power of the press,” either way it did me a world of good. (I don’t remember who the editor was at that time, but they were very good to me! (And if you are still alive and reading this paper, I would love to hear from you.)

And now for Percy’s memoir: “May you be blessed with Everything That Could Ever Bring You a Smile. And never forget each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.

“Every day, you’re given a chance to determine what the words will say and how the story will unfold. The more rewarding you can make each page, the more amazing the entire book will be.

“And I would love for you to write a masterpiece.” (words by Douglas Pagels.)