SOLON & BEYOND: Track & field champions

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

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

There won’t be any church service at the North Anson Congregational Church on Sunday, September 1.

The Annual Church Camping Trip, Worship Service, and Picnic Friday August 30 – September 2. Worship Service at 11 a.m., on Sunday, September 1, and potluck picnic to follow. Directions to Cathedral Pines, Eustis: From the Church parking lot turn right onto Rte. 16 west (towards Pinkham’s Market). Follow Rte. 16 west 8.3 miles to North New Portland, where there is a sharp left to continue on Rte. 16 west for 7.6 miles to Kingfield (cross the bridge). Turn right onto Rte. 27 north, continue on Rte. 27 north for 26.7 miles (going through Carrabassett Valley and Stratton) you will see Cathedral Pines Campground on your right (across from the main campground). Turn left onto Eustis Ridge Road, Go to Group site #2, the third driveway on the right. (There will be a sign so you will know where to turn).

If you are camping please bring firewood for the community campfire. If you can, please bring lawn/camp chairs for the Sunday worship service. If you have any questions, please call the parsonage (635-2137).

The following is a reminder of an upcoming event at the Solon Congregational Church. On Friday, September 13, Lorna and Carlton Russell, from Stockton Springs, will perform an organ concert at 6 p.m., at the Solon Congregational Church. The organ is believed to be the oldest pipe organ of its kind in New England. There will be light refreshments served at intermission. Donations will be accepted at the door.

I am sure the above will be very enjoyable. I have listened to that special old organ many times in the past, and it truly does perform well!

The Town Line held their annual summer picnic on Sunday, August 18. Was very sorry to miss it , but we were on our way back from our stay up in the ‘County.’ I think it has always been the same weekend that we are traveling. I’m sure everyone had a great time.

Received the following e-mail from Western Woods: Help us protect the beautiful 275-acre Western Woods forest for conservation and recreation! Imagine the opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, birding, snowshoeing and skiing on a three-mile trail along the Kennebec River, in Madison.

Five talented artists have joined with Somerset Woods Trustees to create ART FOR WESTON.

Join with our many wonderful supporters to celebrate the protection of Western Woods at the Western Homestead, in Madison, on Saturday, September 7, at 4:30 p.m. (Heavy rain date: Sunday, September 8, at 4:30 p.m.)

As I told you last week, we have been traveling and enjoying this wonderful state of Maine recently! And….it has made my heart sing to see so many more of the signs that say, No CMP Corridor! It seems I’m not alone in wanting our state to remain beautiful and special. Lief and I have been up to what I call “God’s Country” quite often this summer, and again, I can’t explain the peace that I find up in that part of Maine.

And so for Percy’s memoir: Do you encounter situations in which you cannot tell whether you are up against a stone wall or whether you are temporarily thwarted? The difference between success and failure is not great. Success often depends upon being able to tell whether you are up against a hopeless situation or just a difficult one. Here is a prayer, attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, that may help when you are up against it: “God give me the strength to accept with serenity the things which cannot be changed; give me the courage to change things that can and should be changed; and give me the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.” (I like that prayer a lot, and I try to live by it…but I get in trouble some times!) When I’m afraid I may have written something that might get this paper in trouble, I always call Roland to make sure he reads it. One time that I called him about one of my columns ……there was a long pause and then he said, “Marilyn, you are one of a kind. You are one of the last of the old time journalists!” I kinda took that as a compliment, I definitely don’t write Fake News!