SOLON & BEYOND: First-ever ambulance ride; town meeting highlights

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

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

Had a problem with my computer this morning, and I had to call Peter for help in fixing it. My many thanks for his help, don’t know what I would do without him.

Ever since this new year started, we have been having problems of one kind or another. All the snow has been a big problem. I’m sure many of you have had a hard time with that issue as well, and my sympathy goes out to you.

In January, I took my first ride in an ambulance, in all my many years (I don’t tell how many that is!). On February 20 Lief had to have a pace-maker and that was quite upsetting for awhile. They didn’t get one of the parts connected the first time, and he had to have it done twice. Then it was hard to keep him from doing things that he shouldn’t be doing! (He claims he has two pace-makers, and he points to his chest and then at me!)

Sorry to be negative, but it has been a bit hectic with all the appointments and all, but Lief is doing fine now and says he feels so much better, which is good.

My apologies for taking so long to report on the annual Solon town meeting. There were only 37 people who attended the meeting led by Moderator Peter Mills. There was a municipal resolution: The 2019 Solon, Maine, Maine Spirit of America Foundation Tribute honors Linda French for commendable community service.

A Resolution: Providing for: Recognition of Linda French. Be It Resolved by the Selectmen of the Town of Solon as follows : Whereas, Linda French has served as a Ballot Clerk for many, many years; and Linda served as a Library Trustee from 1991 through 1996; and Linda served on the Bicentennial Committee from 2006 through 2009; Linda has opened her home and her heart to numerous children in Solon and the surrounding towns and provided them with love, encouragement, and guidance, and sometimes a safe place to stay; Linda has supported families in our town by volunteering at and then managing the Solon Food Cupboard and Thrift Store for many years; now Be It Resolved by the Selectmen of the Town of Solon that Linda French is hereby recognized for her great achievements and honors that she has brought upon this community with the 2019 Solon Spirit of America Foundation Tribute; and Be It Further Resolved that a copy of this resolution be appropriately framed and presented to Linda French for appropriate display. Congratulations, Linda, I am very proud of you.

Many of the first 29 articles passed with very little if any questions or discussion. Articles 30, 31 and 32, that have to do with the problem about the dispute with James Farley about land on the McQuilken Road, has yet to be settled. I will let you know when I hear from the selectmen. The meeting started at 1:30 p.m. and was over by 3:30 p.m., on March 2.

And now for Percy’s memoir: I’m walking down the road of life, My dreams within a sack, And though I always look ahead, There’s a joy in looking back. Things always seem much clearer, When there’s distance in between, And we get the right perspective, For at last we’ve really seen. For we fashion our tomorrows, From mistakes of yesterday, And we profit from the piper’s song, For which we had to pay. We are better for the lessons, That life teaches us so well; There would be no rising upward, If our feet had never fell. It is good to be a doer, But a dreamer has his place; It is helpful to remember, That the turtle won the race. I have found the highway straighter, But I love the beaten track… The view ahead is lovely, But I’m always looking back. (words by Grace E. Easley.)