SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 22, 2016

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

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

On Saturday, September 24, from 2 – 4 p.m., the Madison Historical Society will host speaker/author Louise Hunt who will give her history of being a Wabanaki woman growing up on Indian Island. She also will speak about Father Rasle. Her book is entitled, In the Shadow of the Steel Cross. There will be light refreshments.

Solon Elementary School welcomes their new preschool teacher, Carissa Booker to the school this fall. Ms. Booker graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington and worked for part of last year in the Special Ed Department at Carrabec Community School. She replaces Jen Hebert, who is now the supervisor and the Family Services Coordinator for the preschool program in RSU #74.

Also welcomed is Mathew Brown, who is the new health teacher. He graduated from the University of Maine in Orono and taught previously at North Yarmouth Academy. Brown is teaching health in the K-5 students in the district and is also teaching physical education at CCS and Garret Schenck.

The Solon K-5 students will visit Lakewood Theatre on September 26 to attend their fall production of The Icicle Princess performed by the Lakewood Jesters. This is the 18th year that Lakewood has produced a show specially customized for elementary students.

The play lasts about an hour, and students get to interact with the performers during the show and meet them after the show. We are fortunate to have this historic theater so close to home. Parents are welcome to join us on this trip. Thanks to the PTO for funding the admission fees for the stedents.

Lief and I had a wonderful weekend, we attended a late 80th birthday party for him held in Ellsworth by his sisters. Six of his nine sisters were in attendance along with other relatives to help him celebrate. His son Dean and wife Cheryl came from Georgia and his daughter, Cindy came from New York. Granddaughter Ashley and great-granddaughter Haley were also there, so he was surrounded by loved ones. There was a beautiful birthday cake, ice cream, gifts and cards. It is so nice to get together with those we love.

One night when I couldn’t sleep, I started counting up how many sisters-in-law I have had over the years. Starting with Liefs’ nine, there were a total of 24, I wonder if that is a record?! I feel blessed with all of them, several are no longer with us, but their memories are there. I grew up without a sister so they are extra special.

The North Anson Congregational Church is having a yard sale on Saturday, September 24. Sorry, I don’t have the hours for it.

Percy’s memoir is a good one that we both liked: “Practice Makes Perfect…When I feel alone and lonely And my empty world seems void, I relax for just a moment And I trust joy will unfold. For in my quiet time I listen To the gentle voice within, And He hears my prayers clearly For He let’s the sunshine in. Oh, how marvelous this practice Which can make our dreams come true, But the beauty of the challenge My dear friend is you. So remember perseverance, (that was Percy’s real name!) Is a gift, but yours by choice, And if you continue in this practice Rest assured you will rejoice. For no words can ever tell you Of the treasure deep within, But with the art of silent practice He will let the sunshine in.” (words by Chris Zambernard.)