SOLON & BEYOND, Week of September 7, 2017

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

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

Received the following e-mail from the Somerset Woods Trustees: Please join “Louise Coburn” (Our Founder in 1927) and the Somerset Woods Trustees at our 90th birthday party and our 2017 Annual Conservation and Awards Celebration., Sunday, September 10, at The Lakewood Inn at Wesserunsett Lake, Madison, from 6 – 8 p.m.

We are excited to announce our award winners for this year: Conservation: Alfred Jackson for his generous donation of land in Madison. Stewardship: Jeff Lloyd for his generous donation towards the creation of a new trail at Coburn Woods.

Schedule for the evening: 5:45-6 p.m.: Check in. Meet “Louise Coburn”, 6 – 6:45 p.m.: Hors d’Oeuvres and cocktails (cash bar). 6:45 p.m. Speaker: Andrew Barton (forest ecologist, science writer and professor of biology at the University of Maine at Farmington): “The Changing Nature of the Maine Woods.” 7:15 p.m., Auction, 7:30 p.m., 90th birthday cake cut by Louise Coburn and Trustees, 7:50 p.m., Conservation and Stewardship Awards, 8 p.m., raffle – drawing by Louise Coburn.

The cost is only $30/person which pays for the hors d’oeuvres, service and venue. Please come and enjoy the night. It’s the last time we will all meet “Louise Coburn.”

Here it is Labor Day as I write this column, not sure where our summer went this year, it was short to say the least! Lief and I took a leisurely and beautiful ride up to Greenville on our anniversary yesterday, and were amazed at all the red leaves that had turned from green. It seems rather early for that to be taking place, but it does make for beautiful scenery to paint…. which leads me to reminder that our Painting Club will be starting up again at Skowhegan Adult Ed and we always like to see new faces there, along with long time friends. It is starting up on Monday, September 11, and is from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the school. Tuition is free, but there is a registration fee of $5. You can sign up at the school and it is for painting in any medium that you prefer. We welcome you to join us in lots of fun.

I’m going to let Percy have more words in his memoirs than usual, and this one is entitled, “Gratitude:” When the frost has spread a silver shawl, And the leaves have turned to gold, When the fields of fruitful harvest Are a glory to behold – When dear friends and kinfolk gather For the feasting and the fun, And the cheer of home and hearth fire Fills the hearts of everyone – Then it’s time to count our blessings For the wondrous gifts we share, Reflected in each joyous heart With grateful praise and prayer. (words by Elisabeth Weaver Winstead).

Since I’m low on actual news, I’m going to print a wonderful illustration of someone’s version of “Life”. Life gives us friendship along the way to cheer our hearts on the darkest day. Life gives us the joy of a baby’s smile full of affection and free of guile; Life gives us the thrill of a mother’s care though days be cloudy or days be fair. Life gives us sleep to ease our pain; and gives us sunshine through the rain. Life gives us knowledge to understand and gives compassion to everyone. (words by Alva Trafton Gosselin.)

I found the above poem hand printed in beautiful script in a frame at a yard sale this weekend, and when the new friend, (who reads this column faithfully) and I read it together, I knew I had to print the good news about life to all you readers. The new friend gave me a great deal! Hope you like it.