SOLON & BEYOND: Questions to make winter interesting

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

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

Was pleased, as always, to receive an e-mail from Somerset Woods Trustees and it starts out like this: “It’s Winter. Not that I needed to tell you! Here are three questions to make winter more interesting: Do you have some great pictures of ice shacks you might be willing to share? 2. Do you love the sound of owls and wish you knew more about them? 3. In this low winter light, are you enjoying the view of snow-draped firs but wondering how to pass along the forest you love to your children?

I’m going to just take up the first question in this column, because I have a wonderful story to share with you about a special ice shack. And the first question from the Somerset Woods Trustees is as follows: If you enjoy walking on frozen water and love to fish, then you may already be ice fishing. Or perhaps you are admiring ice shacks through double-paned windows. In either case, please send us pictures of the most creative, exotic, or elaborate ice shacks you see! We will post them on our Facebook page! Please give us permission to publish your photos and approval to include your name as the owner of the picture. Their mailing address is Somerset Woods Trustees, P.O. Box 833, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.

The story I am about to tell you is about what happened when two friends, Scotty Robertson and Gary Cote took part in the Wyman Derby on Wyman Lake on January, 27. They were fishing from Scotty’s ice shack, and he got first place with an almost four pound togue, and he received a beautiful trophy for that. At first it was announced that he got second prize in the splake category with the two pounder he caught. Later he was called and told a mistake was made and he got first place in that one also. His friend Gary got second place in the event with the salmon that he caught; and Scotty proudly stated, “So we placed in three spots out of my shack.”

Scotty loves the outdoors, and especially likes to go fishing.

Was also very excited when I heard about the following bit of news. The CCS Carrabec girls varsity basketball team has finished their Central Maine season undefeated. The team of eighth grade girls includes : Courtney Rollins #50, Trinity Slate #10, Brook Welch #23, Cheyenne Cahill #11, Aliyah Hupper #15, Julia Baker #3, Cassidy Smith #24, Lilly Augustine #13, Aislinn Slate #2 and coach Eric Carey whose dedicated coaching has brought the team to where they are. Congratulations on your great victory.

And now for some of the events taking place at the North Anson Congregational Church: On Friday, February 9, there will be a 6 p.m., Movie Night, “The Shack” This is a Bring Your Own Snack and comfy chair fellowship event. Come and Enjoy!

February 10, 8 a.m., Women’s Fellowship Devotional and Coffee. February 11. Church’s potluck lunch and Hearts Game following the morning Worship Service.

February 14, 7 p.m., Ash Wednesday Service at the First Congregational Church of Norridgewalk.

I would like to thank the board and staff at The Town Line newspaper for the beautiful Sympathy card, and all of the friends who have sent cards after the death of my stepfather, Clarence Jones; it meant so much.

Percy’s memoir for this week:

Measure your lifetime in blessings, Not in the years you have known…Count up the 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 seven or 79. (words by Larry Sandman.)