SOLON & BEYOND, Week of November 24, 2016

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

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

The first Quarter Honor Roll students at Solon Elementary School receiving all A’S are Jayden Cates, Cooper Dellarma, Gavyn Easler, Sascha Evans, Courtney Grunder, Summer Lindblom, Aiden McLaughlin, Macie Plourde, Desmond Robinson, William Rogers, Aaron Soosman and Hailey Wyman. All A’s & B’S Emily Baker, Karen Baker, Tehya Caplin, Sarah Craig, Caden Fitton, Riley Graham, Reid Golden, Sherrill Hall, Zachary Hemond, Nevaeh Holmes, Cody James, William Lawrence, Madyson McKenney, Ciara Myers-Sleeper, Abigail Parent, Cailin Priest, Mylee Roderrick, THomas Roderick, Alyssa Schinzel, Katelynn, Brooks Sousa, Fisher Tewksbury, Lucas Vicneire and Dystany Young.

On September 21, Solon Elementary School held a Space Night and Open House for the PreK-5 students and their families. The teachers were pleased to have 190 people in attendance, which represented 78 percent of the families.

Families visited classrooms, shopped at the PTO Book Fair, enjoyed refreshments, and learned more about space. The highlight of the evening was a planetarium show called “The Wonderful Sky” in an inflatable indoor dome brought by Mr. John Meader from Northern Stars Planetarium in Fairfield.

Students had a chance to win space-related door prizes, and all students left with a goodie bag.

The event was funded by a grant from the MELMAC Foundation.

On September 29 and October 20, Solon students and staff participated in the Walking School Bus Program. This activity is part of the school wellness plan.

Students, staff, and parents met at the Solon Thrift Shop each of those mornings and walked to school to promote exercise and fitness. When they got to school, the cook, Mrs. Lawrence served everyone breakfast.

The 6th annual Christmas Program and Sunday School Pageant at the North Anson Congregational Church will be held on Sunday, November 27 at 4 .pm. This program includes music, readings, skits and the singing of carols. I may be a bit biased, (my daughter Mary is the head of the Sunday School), and in my opinion this annual event is always very inspiring and gets one in the spirit of Christmas. Hope to see you there.

Was very happy to receive an e-mail from Tim and Pat at the New Hope E. F. Church, in Solon, with updates on the women’s shelter etc. “The shelter has been blessed to receive several grants that have enabled us to purchase two storage sheds (each 10′ x 20′) and a generator, and also pay for the construction of a permanent entryway. In addition, a rescue mission in Bangor, has closed its thrift store and has given this building to us to do with as the Lord leads. What a blessing!

They have re furbished the original women’s shelter (the north wing of the church), making the upstairs into a youth center where teens can gather to enjoy fun, fellowship, and a time of Bible study on Friday evenings.

Several new women and children have recently been welcomed into the women’s shelter, while several others have moved into apartments of their own.

Besides Tim’s many pastoral duties and responsibilities as board president of the women’s shelter, he has taken on the role of youth leader and Pat has been hired by the church to be Tim’s secretary.

The Solon Congregational Church will host an annual Christmas Fund raiser event on Saturday, December 3, at 6 p.m. Entertainment will be the Liberty String Band. Refreshments will be served following the program. Admission will be by donation.

We had our annual Rogers’ Thanksgiving day on the Sunday before the actual day, at the home of Peter and Sherry Rogers, on the River Road. with 22 in attendance. As always, it was extra special, one reason being, Mark and Karen always drive up from Florida to share the love and great food. At first this occasion started with a long table in the living room, but with the young ones growing up and adding wives, it is now held in the garage. It never ceases to amaze me how they turn the garage into such a warm and welcoming place for the food and fun of the day, the game following the meal yesterday was lots of fun, as always!

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day as well, and Percy’s memoir says it all… Life’s greatest celebrations are born of the heart.”