SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 1, 2016

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

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

The family of the late Henry and Gertrude (McLaughlin) Smith held their 66th reunion on July 31 at Lake George, in Canaan. The descendants of Gertrude (Smith) Mellows were the host.

There were 38 members and two guests present. The family enjoyed a picnic lunch, with the Mellows family providing the dessert.

Elmer’s family – Eileen Western Cyr and Bert Cyr.

Harry’s family – Lester and Gail Smith, Syvia Brennan and Amelia Brennan.

Agnes’s family – None attended.

Oliver’s family – David Smith, Linda Smith, Craig and Judy Smith, Janice Gorman, John and Sheila (Smith) Callaway, Deanna Gorman, and William Gorman Jr. Guest Rachael Bolba.

Gertrude’s family – Sharon Mellows, Danyel Clark, Rosemary Mellows, Diana Merry, Paul Merry, Nathan Merry, Mary Mellows, Scott Mellows and Amanda Mellows with son Dillinger Mellows, Ross and Rhonda Merry, Jessica Merry and daughter Brooklyn Johnson, Caleb Walker (Michelle’s Son), Henry and Shirley Mellows.

Cecil’s family – None attended.

Clarissa’s family – Joan Steele and Nancy Smellie.

Vincent’s family – Katy Frost and son Griffin Patchell , Anna Meacham, Jim and Lynn Smith. Guest; Mark Martin.

The oldest family member was Rosemary Merry, age 83, and the youngest was Dillinger Mellows, age 3, Rosemary is his great-aunt.

Those from out of state were Sylvia and Amelia Brennan, from Pennsylvania; Paul Merry, from New Hampshire; and Mary Mellows, from Connecticut.

An open house and dedication of the Lexington/Highland Historical Society History House was held on August 20. The history of the project started in 1991, when eight area residents met at the camp of Emmons and Barbara Pinkham and agreed to form an organization committed to preservation of the written records, household furnishings, memorabilia and family histories of Lexington residents. Shortly after this, by-laws were written, nonprofit status was established, and they became incorporated as the Lexington Historical Association. After several unsuccessful attempts to find a “home” or site for building, a small group concentrated on building a collection. An invitation to exhibit at a New Portland Historical Society event as well as the New Portland Fair brought attention to the various resources they had collected. Numerous people stopped by these exhibits, including James and Linda Taylor of Lexington. Jim’s question, “Where do you store all this collection?” The response prompted Jim and Linda to ask if they would be interested in a piece of land to build on. Soon a planning committee was formed, the present site selected, a design based on a homestead that set at the corner of the Back Road and Longfalls Dam Road that burned in 1956, was chosen.

The East Madison Historical Association is having a fall yard and bake sale as well as a book signing on Saturday, September 3,  from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the EMHA building at 1108 East Madison Rd., just north of the village. Proceeds from the sale will benefit EMHA’s building fund.

From 9 a.m. – noon, Bob Clement will be present to sign any and all of his four books, the latest one being, “Are You Going to the Skowhegan Fair?” Books will be for sale during that time as well.

My many, many thanks to those who gave me the above news to share with you this week, it is greatly appreciated !

Percy’s memoir is: “There’s a special art to living, And you need a frame of mind That can overlook the showers, ‘Til the sun begins to shine. To develop to the fullest, You have got to understand, That things don’t always function In the way that they were planned. There’s a special art to living, And the challenge must be met, But the longer that you try it, Why the better you will get. Don’t waste your time in waiting For the world to come to you. You have to climb the mountain, To appreciate the view. (words by Grace E. Easley).