SOLON & BEYOND: Lynnette King, retiring from Margaret Chase Smith Library after 29 years

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

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

I’m wondering how all of you have survived the hot, sticky weather we’ve been having recently? But then, we shouldn’t complain, after the extra cold, stormy winter we suffered through last winter!

Received an e-mail from Angela Stockwell about the Margaret Chase Smith Library. “It’s always busy at the MCS Library. After 29 years of dedicated service, Lynnette King is retiring. We will miss her and wish her well. Advanced Placement history students learned about primary source research. Maine author Paul Doiron’s talk about his latest book drew a large audience. It was great! Maine students impressed judges at National History day in Maryland. Winners of the MCS Leadership Excellence Awards at West Point and Annapolis were selected. Essay winners are highlighted in this issue as well. We’re pleased to announce the renaming of the seminar room to the Merton G. & Harriet P. Henry Conference Room.”

Have been thinking a great deal about the Old Days as Flagstaff Memorial Chapel Old Home Days are fast approaching on August 3 and 4. Received a letter from my cousin RM Yehle about the events that will be going on at this annual event. On August 3, at the Dead River Area Historical Society, in Stratton, from 1 – 3 p.m. The focus will be on Clarence Jones, with family members present to meet and greet, and tell stories.

Or you can meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel and take a ride (boat or vehicle) into the Stevens’ farm (now the Ruey Stevens Baldwin camp) and Duluth Wing’s (now Kenny’s) camp. Boat and/or vehicle transportation will be provided by Kenny and RM.

On August 4, at 10 a.m., at the Flagstaff Chapel, there will be a church service with Peter Farnsworth officiating. At 1 a.m., at the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel, there will be a potluck lunch, Drinks, plates, and silverware will be provided. At noon at the Flagstaff Memorial Chapel there will be the annual meeting.

RM ended this letter with these words,” Please try to attend all or some of these activities! Let’s try to increase our attendance – bring friends, let others know, post the flyer around town.

She is right, the attendance gets smaller and smaller every year. I am one of the oldest, or maybe the oldest, who attends. My good friend, who is a year younger than me always comes from New York for this occasion.

I had saved a yellowed Central Maine Newspaper dated June 6, 2002, with the headline, Make Flagstaff Lake a certain stop. There is a large picture of the lake with these words under it: “A view of Flagstaff Lake from the causeway in Stratton. The 26-mile long lake was formed more than 50 years ago by flooding three communities. ”

And now for Percy’s memoir entitled Hymns and Haws: Dentist’s hymn, “Crown Him With Many Crowns.” Baker’s hymn, “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Contractor’s hymn, “The Churches One Foundation.”;Weather forecaster’s hymn ,”There Shall Be Showers of Blessing.” IRS’s hymn: “All to Thee.” Optometrist’s hymn: “Open My Eyes That I Might See.” Tailor’s hymn:”Holy! Holy! Holy!” and Shopper’s Hymn: “By and By” These words were printed in Guidepost in August 1996.