May 27, 2012

            Congratulations on the new babies that have been born from our former Addison ladies. Diadem Strout Washburn, gave birth to a boy Asa Boothe Washburn on May 20^th, Amanda Moore Kimball gave birth to a girl   Amelia Kimball on May 22, and  Carole Perry Hart gave birth to a girl Coralie Jae Hart on May 24.

            . On Wednesday Alcyone #71, Order of Eastern Star had an Instructional School at the Masonic Lodge in Milbridge with thirty-two attending. As always we enjoyed the evening.

            A Memorial Day Ceremony was held Friday at Narraguagus High School for all our veterans. A video was shown with photos of all that died for us from the local area. Local veterans attended and were given a round of applause for their participation in keeping our freedom.       

            Andrew McLaughlin of Harrington is doing great in racing this year. He has placed in four out of five races; he has won twice and came in second and third in the other two. Way to go Andrew.

            All of my dahlias that I had posted on Facebook are now all gone. I had so many that I put them out beside the road to give away. I had people from Ellsworth, Franklin and locals stop by for some. I hated to just throw them away, but I already put in 100 feet of them in my garden and did not need anymore. Now I will wait for them to grow so I can enjoy a bouquet of flowers later on this summer

            This weekend has been great for planting in the garden, no flies to bother as the wind was blowing and the weather was not too hot to work outside. It was just another great weekend to be outside getting things done; even my clothes dried nicely.

            .Mary Beth Ward of Columbia saw a moose this pass week in her yard and Tracey Peterson saw one on the Cherryfield stretch while driving the bus.

            While out and about this weekend we saw many folks buying flowers to put on their love ones graves. The Columbia Cemetery looked good with the flags on the veteran graves and all of the arrangements that folks put out to honor their loved ones. I especially would like to remember my parents and my husband’s parents at this time of year.

 

Sent to Cty Wide, Machias Valley News Observer, Ellsworth American .Col Falls Record and all others.

Photo: Asa 2

 On May 20^th at 9:37 A.M, Asa Boothe Washburn was born to Diadem & Jesse Washburn of Boston, Mass. Asa weighed in at 7 lbs 14 oz. & 21” long. Proud grandparents are: Ronie & Carroll Strout of Addison and Arthur Washburn & Dotty Caldwell of Penobscot.

 

June 3, 2012

          

            Two more weeks of school, and then the students will be out for summer vacation; that is if it will ever warm up around here to be summer.                                                                         

            On May 31^st all of the eighth graders in the district traveled to “The Forks” for their class trip. They did whitewater rafting and paint balling while there. After spending the night in cabins they traveled to the Bangor Mall for some shopping, then onto Trenton to the Water Park for several hours before returning to Harrington. They were joined in the activities at “The Forks” with Jonesport eighth graders on Thursday. All of the students had a great time.

            Steve and Jan Morrison have returned to their cottage in Milbridge for the summer.

            Julie Swan of New Hampshire spent a few days with Dick and Molly Woodsum before returning to her home in New Hampshire.

            I just received word that Beals Historical Society is hosting a Gospel Talent Show on Saturday June 9^th, at 6:30pm, at the Beals Gym.

            Prom night was held at Narraguagus High on Saturday evening. I saw some photos of the girls all dressed up in their dresses, they were all beautiful.

            My granddaughter Jasmine St. Pierre will be graduating from Hermon High this coming Saturday. It doesn’t seem possible that she is all grown up; seems like yesterday she was a baby.

June 10, 2012

            This week has been trying for me, on Sunday I headed for the hospital and on Monday I had my gall bladder out. Not a fun time for me.

            Even though I haven’t been out and about I know that Donaleen Chandler celebrated her 70^th birthday on Saturday June 9 in Jonesport with her family, and a family gathering was held at Ronald and Charlene Gray’s home on June 10^th in Addison. Of course I was unable to attend these gatherings due to my problems. I did travel to my granddaughter’s graduating party at her home in Carmel on Saturday afternoon that got me out of the house this week. Jasmine turned 18 on the 2^nd and graduated on the 9^th from Hermon High School. She will be attending University of Orono in the fall.

            Paulette Veit of New Hampshire stopped by for a visit while in the area this weekend.

            June 10, 2012

            This week has been trying for me, on Sunday I headed for the hospital and on Monday I had my gall bladder out. Not a fun time for me.

            Even though I haven’t been out and about I know that Donaleen Chandler celebrated her 70^th birthday on Saturday June 9 in Jonesport with her family, and a family gathering was held at Ronald and Charlene Gray’s home on June 10^th in Addison. Of course I was unable to attend these gatherings due to my problems. I did travel to my granddaughter’s graduating party at her home in Carmel on Saturday afternoon that got me out of the house this week. Jasmine turned 18 on the 2^nd and graduated on the 9^th from Hermon High School. She will be attending University of Orono in the fall.

            Paulette Veit of New Hampshire stopped by for a visit while in the area this weekend.

            A family gathering was held for Donald & Peggy Grant of Addison this weekend to celebrate their 60^th wedding anniversary.

            Congratulations also to Michelle and David McLaughlin on celebrating their 6^th wedding anniversary on the 10^th.

            My husband has had to do some replanting in the garden this weekend as some of the seed did not germinate with all of the wet weather we have had.

            Keep Ralph Pineo of Addison in your prayers, he came home the other day from the hospital.

            Happy birthday to Michael Gray of Columbia Falls, he will be 10 on June 14^.

            Just a quick note the Union Church in Columbia is no longer available for the people of the town for use. It sure does put the migrant folks in a pickle for the thrift shop for the summer blueberry harvest season with no notice to them. It is too bad we will lose the building now; it seems no one wants to do anything to keep it up. It is a puzzle to me how the selectmen have decided they will take it over when they won’t do anything to save the church building. They say it is unfit to use. I see the end is near; it will be razed instead of saved just like the other church was. I have tried ever since my mother passed away to keep the society going and that fizzled out as no one wanted to do anything as I was involved with it but yet they talked like I was to do it all by myself.

            I did all of the work on getting it put on the National Register of Historical Places in 1997 and in 2000 I had the church repaired with the help of a program thru the Washington County inmates of  Machias. Not one person in the town appreciated it or came by to help.

            Cemetery stones were once seen just a few rods  west of the church building as I am told was where the black people were buried now long gone under the vegetation that has grown up around them.

            Our ancestors came to Columbia and settled here, if it was not for them we would not be here. This church, this building was built in 1829 where our ancestors came to worship, to marry and to lay their love ones to rest a part of our history will be lost forever if this building is razed. No one cares anymore about preserving history, our history that brought us to where we are today.

.June 17, 2012

            On Tuesday I was finally able to get out that evening and be one of the ballot clerks for the town, it did not take us long to count the ballots for the Primary Election with the small turnout that we had. It seems good to be doing something after lying around for a week, doing nothing but read books and watch the day go by.

            Now that school is out watch out while driving as the children are out and about on their bikes here on the ridge. It is good to see them outside playing in the good weather we are having.

                        We attended the Cherryfield Public Supper on Wednesday evening, June 13,  before going to our grandson’s Nursery School graduation. It does not seem possible that these children are old enough to start school in the fall. The Weald Bethel Chapel was standing room only with all of the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles attending the ceremony. The graduates sang two songs for us; ABC’s and Little Bird with The Yellow Bill before receiving their diploma and medal. Congratulations go out the graduates: Cody Leighton, Gabreal Perry, Jacob Dorr, Emma Parker, Ava Gaudette, Konner Strout and Zackary Ray.       On Thursday the end of the year party for the Narraguagus Nursery School ended with a gathering of all that had attended this year with a luncheon with lots of great food brought in by the parents and grandparents.

            Our son Zebadiah Strout along with Matthew Pounder was here in the area for a couple of evenings this week.  Zebadiah was here for his bachelor party that was being held in New Hampshire Friday evening. It was great seeing them even if it was for a short period of time.

            The entire employees of SAD #37 were treated to an end of the year barbeque on Friday June 15 at Narraguagus High School. Recognitions were given out to employees that had been working for the district for 20 years and up. Congratulations go out to Alfred Moore being the only employee that is still working in the district for 47 years as a teacher and now as a bus driver.

            On Friday evening we were guest at Steve and Jan Morrison’s in Milbridge along with Peter Sawyer , June and Harry Rolfe with good conversation and some fine dining to boot.

            I was unable to attend the Milbridge Alumni with my husband on Saturday; I heard they had a nice turnout to it anyway.

            Carroll heard from all of his children on Sunday wishing him a great Father’s Day. He enjoyed going out to eat at the Seafood Shack here in Columbia.

            Get well wishes still go out to Muriel Grant who has returned home from the hospital and is recuperating.

            Condolences go out to Beatrice and George Hammond, Frances Korord and Anita Trahan-White families. Their families will surely miss them.

            The Friends of the Church on the Hill here in Addison will be having a spaghetti public supper on the 22 at the Addison Town Hall. They are selling tickets on a queen size quilt made by Lillis Norton, which can be bought from any of the friends, Lillis Norton, Terry Grant, Jeannette Perry; they sell one for a dollar or six for five dollars.

            Congratulations to Zachary and Tiffany Strout of Harrington celebrating their 6^th wedding anniversary on June 24^th.

June 24, 2012

Photo: Narraguagus Nursery School students

 Back Row: Konner Strout, Derick MacLeod, Cody Leighton, Nickson Rusecky,

 Zackary Ray.
The middle row: Gabreal Perry, Jacob Dorr, Emma Parker, Ava Gaudette, Pearl Pinkham, Tessa Ray, Reagan Haycock.
#5247 use with names:

            Condolences go out to the family of Lola Savage Ingersoll. She died May 3, 2012 in Veazie, Me. Lola “Lorie” was born Sept. 14 1923 to Lola (Wallace) and Guilford Savage of Columbia, she graduated from Columbia Falls High School class of 1942. She and her husband Elliott Ingersoll celebrated their 70 wedding anniversaries in Jan 2012. She is survived by her children Priscilla Bird and husband Kent of South Portland and Michael E. Ingersoll and wife Iona of Brewer, Me. Four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, seven great-step grandchildren, and her brother, Guy Savage of Cousins Island and several nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed.

            Elliott Ingersoll has had to move to the Woodlands at 53 Colonial Circle, Brewer, Me 04402 and he would love to receive some cards from folks from this area.

            This past week I had several doctor appointments on Monday with one in Bangor and one in Ellsworth. It was good to get them behind me at the beginning of the week.

            I returned in time Monday evening to attend the Pleasant River Historical Society meeting that was held at the Addison Town Hall. Guest speaker for the evening was Christine Alexander of Udder View Farm of Columbia on goat cheese making. She demonstrated the process of making goat cheese with sample of different kinds of cheeses that she makes and sells at the Farmers Market in Milbridge for us to taste.

            Attending the meeting were Jeannette Perry, Cathy Fonder, Tim & Mary Thompson, Arleta & Lee Grant, Tony and Delaine Grant, Susanne Doolittle and myself.

            The Pleasant River Historical Society Collectable Calendar for 2013 has gone to the printers and will be on sale at Addison Days July 21. They also will be placed in several businesses as well at the Town Office. The calendar will have classes from the Pleasant River area with a cover of diplomas that we were able to find from Columbia, Columbia Falls and Addison folks.          

            Konner Strout celebrated his fifth birthday early on Saturday June 23, 2012 with friends and family at his home in Harrington.      

            *****************************************************************

Just a note I am not sure I will be getting too much out next week or so, will try anyway. My desk computer will not turn on, the lap top I got up and running is quite slow took all day to get it going....about 10 years old. I am checking in on my kindle fire almost every day. Will be away to my son's wedding and then another eye operation on July 5 that I will  be face down for a week.  Catch you all later! Ronie    

 

 

July 4, 2012

 

            Kristen (Caler) Hernandez formerly of Addison and her husband Tim Hernandez of Charlotte, North Carolina attended Zebadiah and Molly Strout’s wedding in Minnesota along with the rest of us. I had left her name off the list from last week. .

            While we were in Minnesota for the week the weather stayed good for us.

            On Tuesday, June 26 after arriving at the airport in Minnesota we were taken to our final destination and left our luggage before going to Minnetonka Lake for a boat ride with the Ulku family and friends.. We enjoyed the trip stopping at one place where the younger folks went swimming by a sand beach and than another place for them to dive into the water. A good day was had by all.

            On Wednesday June 27 we met our grandson Asa Washburn for the first time, son of Diadem and Jesse Washburn of Dorchester, Massachusetts, at his Uncle Zeb’s apartment in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

            In the evening along with the Ulku family we all met at Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill for dinner and dancing. Konner Strout my grandson did some break dancing for us and also enjoyed meeting one of the band members. The radio station that was there had everyone sing to him happy birthday and his name was drawn where he received a CD from them.

            Thursday we spent the day helping the Ulku family get ready for the groom’s Maine dinner being held at their house in the evening. The groom Zebadiah Strout had lobsters flown in from Beals Island, Carroll made a potato salad and I made blueberry pies to go along with corn on the cob we got from the farmers market in town.

            The wedding day June 29 came upon us to fast, and after arriving at Olympic Hills, Eden Prairie Golf Club where we found a beautiful setting for the bride and groom to be married. We knew that it was finally happening our son was getting married to a beautiful girl, Molly Ulku.

            On Saturday I went with my granddaughters to the Mall of America so they could shop, I must say, I really don’t need to go again, I have seen it, been there, and done that.

            Sunday came, and we off to the airport for the trip home.  We made it home by two in the afternoon, tired, but glad to be back in Maine.

 

July 15, 2012

 

            On July 4^th Carrol and I joined Steve and Bunnie Plummer of Harrington, Abby Plummer, Caleb Norton, and Leslie Norton of Jonesboro for a picnic at Rogue Bluffs. On our way back home we stopped in Columbia Falls for an ice-cream to top off the day.

 

This past week I had another eye operation that I am now recuperating at home from. It is not looking good for me to have a vacation this summer, but maybe this too will pass and something good will come out of this for me.

            Thank you goes out to the Woodsum’s and Peterson’s for the meal they sent in to us. It sure does come in handy for something different to eat and not have to figure out what to get for a meal.

            I am reading books left and right on my kindle as it is the only thing I can do with my head having to be down all the time. Hopefully after my next appointment I can lift it up and see where I am going.

            Konner Strout of Harrington had a friend in for a play date on Saturday the 7th. He told me they played with his little cars and swam in his pool. He said he had lots of fun. On Sunday he came to visit with me a bit in the morning.

            Condolences go out to the families of John Driscoll of Columbia Falls, Richard Perry and Justin Thompson of Addison, Sue Leighton of Harrington, and Jared Dorr of Milbridge.

            Don’t forget the Downeast Country Fest at the Columbia Falls Gymnasium, Columbia Falls on Saturday July 21, starting at 7 pm. It will be a full night of music featuring Nashville Recording Artist Jason Sturgeon, Shannon Selig, Whiskey Project and Down East’s own Stillwater Band. Open to the public 21+ BYOB, $10.00 a ticket first come first served. For more information go to www.downeastcountryfest.com

 

Columbia News July 20, 2012

On Saturday the 14^th my two cousins Becky Hall and Ruby Rogers of Corinth came to visit me in Addison on their way to their Look Reunion in Columbia Falls. Alas I was not home to receive them as I was in Massachusetts visiting my grandson Asa Washburn for a few weeks.

On Saturday in Massachusetts I had a visit from the former Jean Christian-Richardson of Addison, we went out to lunch and than visited her nephew Neal Christian surprising him and his family. A nice visit was had by all.

While I have been visiting my daughter and husband I have had the pleasure of meeting up with their friends for a Fishapalooza on July 15 in Weymouth, Massachusetts.

On Thursday July 19 we were guest of more friends Terrance and Tanya Jones of Allston, Massachusetts for a lovely meal and great conversation.

On July 20, my grandson turned two months old, doesn't seem possible he already has traveled across the United States to Minnesota and back by car.

Condolences go out to the following families, Ralph Pineo of Addison and Lindell Beal of Beal Island. Keep them in your prayers.

Clarice Garnett of Tibbettstown, Columbia Falls will be having special visitors for a few weeks, her sister Alma and husband from Australia will be staying with her. We hope they have a great visit to our area.

By the time this comes out Addison Days will be over as well as the Downeast Fest in Columbia Falls.

 

July 28, 2012

 

          Congratulations to Amanda and Eric McLaughlin on the birth of their twin boys Jackson and James on July 23.  They will be busy with their sons once they come home from the hospital.

          Congratulations to Nathan and Jillian Knowles on their recent marriage on July 21.

          Our son Zebadiah and Molly Strout have arrived for a month to visit with us.  We enjoy having them here visiting.

          The Washburn family visited in the area this weekend, Diadem attended her high school reunion at the Pines in Milbridge Saturday evening and Auntie Michelle came over to take care of baby Asa.

          I was home over the weekend with the Washburn family. While home I raided the garden of produce to take back to Massachusetts.

          Milbridge Days will have come and gone when this comes out. I heard there was a great turnout for the activities over the weekend.

          Tracey Peterson and Dawn Coffin attended the Safety Conference held at Sugar Loaf this week. I was unable to go as I was out of town. I am sure they learned a lot there and met up with many other bus drivers that attended.

          Prayers go out to Dale Tenney and Gerard Healy of Columbia Falls.

          Caleb Paul, Jenny Jones and Charles Lovejoy and his family was here for the high school reunion held at the Pines in Milbridge on Saturday evening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 4, 2012

Another week has flown by for me, by the time this comes out I will have returned from Massachusetts visiting my daughter and her family. I have been babysitting my grandson Asa Washburn for three weeks. Asa's other grandparents are stepping up for the next two weeks in watching him till the next nanny Auntie Sarah arrives on August 18 to take over.

Congratulations to Amy Norton on her new beautician shop at her home on Wescogus Road in Addison. I had driven by her home and notice all of the construction being done in the back of her garage and wondered what was taking place; now I know.

Blueberry season is up and running now. Doesn't seem possible that it is that time of year already.

The back to school ads on television has started and that means school will be here soon. SAD #37 starts the day after Labor Day with a couple of workshop days the week before for all of the employees.

Lobsters are still going at a low price, they are cheaper than hotdogs and so much better for you. The Seafood Shack has been advertising lobster rolls for $5.00, this is a good price and so delicious.

Get well wishes to Nancy Skeate of Columbia, she has been going through some medical procedures. Hopefully this last one will be her last.

Belated birthday wishes to David McLaughlin of Harrington, he celebrated on August 1.

While I was in Massachusetts I connected with another second cousin on line while I was doing some genealogy. I will be sending her the genealogy on the Leighton and Worcester’s side that she doesn't have.

 

August 12, 2012

 

            I finally arrived back home on Sunday August 5, from Massachusetts from spending three weeks visiting and babysitting my grandson Asa Washburn. It was good to get back home to a normal routine again.

            This week has flown by quick, and the weather has cooperated with the house painters that are working on the house. We are just praying for good weather even knowing that we do need the rain in the area where it is so dry. My garden needed the rain but alas after the deer got into it, we don’t have to worry about doing any canning of beans or making pickles this year. Thank goodness I have plenty of beans from previous years put up in the basement.

            My eye appointment in Bangor went well on Friday, everything is looking good for my eyes and I will be back driving bus in September.

            We enjoyed a gathering at Jan and Steve Morrison’s in Milbridge Friday evening. Those that were there were their daughter Cheryl and her husband Shane Rauch and his daughter Shana, Peter Sawyer, and June & Harry Rolfe. On Saturday we were invited out for a lovely meal at Ruberta and Steve Plummer’s in Harrington.

            We had our grandson Konner over two days this past week visiting us for the day. He sure does keep us running all day.

            Dick and Molly Woodsum of Addison had a surprise visit from their daughter Kim and granddaughter Jenna this week.

            Condolences go out to the family of Gerald Healey of Columbia Falls. His family will surely miss him.

            A good crowd turned out for the yard sale in Columbia Falls at the Union Hall on Sunday. I did happen to think of it at the last moment to go to it.

 
 

August 19, 2012

 

            Is it just me or has summer past me by? The days are flying by so fast I guess it is because I have been so busy around the house trying to get things done before I get back to driving the school bus.

            On Friday afternoon I was in Ellsworth to do some shopping that I desperately needed to do, then off to Milbridge for our Friday evening gathering at the Morrison’s.       

    On Saturday I traveled to Machias for the Blueberry Festival for the second time since it has been in existence. The first time was way back when my two oldest children were in Nursery School. At the time we had a nursery school at the Pleasant River Fish and Game Club in Columbia. We had a table or two, and sold Italian sandwiches and soda. If I remember right we sold out and made some good money for the nursery school. Anyway, I had a very enjoyable day; first it started out with two invites within ten minuets to go to the Blueberry Festival in Machias.

            I traveled with my sister-in-law Ruberta Plummer and her granddaughter Abby Plummer, and then met up with my daughter Michelle McLaughlin and went around with her to see the vendors. Later on my grandson Konner and his mother Tiffany Strout arrived and I visited with them before they went on their way to check everything out. After four hours it was time to leave and I found several items that I could not live without. One item I found was just too big for the vehicle I was in so I enlisted my nephew in bringing it home for me.  I was exhausted from all of the walking and I was glad that I got the chance to go. I just might put this on my calendar for next year to attend as it is a good chance to get your Christmas shopping started. 

            Sunday I called a friend to offer her my sympathy on the death of her husband to let her know that I was thinking of her and will try and get over for a personal visit soon.

            This week I put some genealogy items together for my husband’s relative Josephine Grant that she had asked for a couple of months ago. Josephine called and let me know that she had received it and was enjoying reading and reminiscing of growing up in Cherryfield. I am glad that I was able to do this for her as she is going through dialysis and this brightened her day. Sometimes it is just the little simple things that make a person happy

 

August 31, 2012

            Photo: Ronie Strout on the high wire.

            Lumber Jacks and the Bears Intramural Athletic soccer game at Columbia Falls

           

Please remember to watch out for the students that will be out waiting for their bus to go to school on September 4. It is that time of year that the buses will be rolling. From 6 to 8 am and 2 to 4 are mostly the times when the students will be getting on and off the buses.

            On Monday evening I enjoyed another visit with Brian McCullough here in Addison before he left on Tuesday morning.          
                The bus drivers from SAD #37 had a workshop on August 29 at Weald Bethel where we were participants in a team building activity on the rope course. We put on our harness and helmet and then we were  attached to a rope where we were on a belay the entire time: climbing up the tree to the element, walking across the wire to reach the other tree and then being lowered to the ground after. One of our drivers Darlene Stubbs did this blindfolded. We also had to walk on a zigzag course attached to each other without falling off the course. After the activities we had a cookout at the EDGE building.

            On August 30 we joined the rest of the employees of SAD #37 for another workshop at the high school. Now we are ready for school to begin.                            Thursday evening I attended my grandson Konner Strout’s last Intramural Athletic Soccer game, the last one for the season that Dan and Mindy Kane of Addison had for the local children in the area from K to 8^thgrade. All of the children received atrophy and then had a pizza party to end the season.

                Here on the home front we are trying to wrap up the outside projects before cold weather starts. This is a never ending project.

 

           

September 9, 2012

 

            Our son Zebadiah and his wife Molly has returned to Minnesota after making a side trip to Virginia to return Matthew Pounder to his home. We will surely miss them, now maybe I can get caught up on some of my own items that need to be sorted out and organized. One of my projects that I am working on is stripping a piece of furniture that I want to refinish and use sometime in the near future.

            We are pleased that Bob Pounder and Company: Matthew Pounder, Zebadiah and Molly Strout and Jason Dyer have done such a great job on painting our house this summer. They used four historical colors on our Victorian house so now we can call it a Painted Lady.

            During the first week of school we have been critiquing the bus runs and have made a few changes. I am now starting on assigning seats to everyone. Hopefully this coming week I can get most of that done so the students will know where they are sitting.

            On Saturday afternoon Maureen Healy, Louise Emerson and I attended the going away party for Muriel Smith at the Columbia Falls Municipality building.

            Richard Grant of Columbia Falls followed a moose on the Ridge Road in Addison one day last week. He said he has seen deer but this was the first time he has seen a moose on this road.

            Carroll and I enjoyed going to the movies Saturday evening in Milbridge; we saw The Odd Life of Timothy Green.

            Get well wishes go out to Betty Hammond of Harrington who has been in the hospital and is now home. She has been out and about as usual, and has not let this bout of illness hold her down.

            Sunday afternoon we helped celebrate Jonathan Plummer’s 36^th birthday at his parents’ home in Harrington with a cook-out. A great time was had by all.

            Birthday wishes go out to Jonathan Plummer and Eric Worcester on September 11^th they both turn 36 years old.     

    Grace Peterson of Columbia has enjoyed having her son George visit with her for a week. George returned to his home on Friday.

            Mark your calendar that The Bohemian Bakery will reopen on September 20^th with all of her great pastries and sandwiches that she makes. Hopefully we will all be able to survive till she is back in business.

 

September 16, 2012

 

    Our son Zebadiah and wife Molly Strout are now the proud owners of a yellow lab they have named Silva Strout. They have posted photos of her for us to see. Now the fun begins with them in training her; just glad it is them and not us.

     Allen Seesman and son Rory have been at their home in Columbia this past week.

Tuesday evening Richard Paul and I attended the Milbridge Historical Society meeting.

     On September 11, Richard Paul and I attended the meeting at the Milbridge Historical Society along with about thirty other folks to hear the guest speaker Todd Little-Siebold from the College of Atlantic talk on: The Search for Downeast Heirloom Apples”. Richard Paul and several others brought in apples with the hopes of them being identified. We learned that the College is trying to identify the different kinds of apples in Washington County and if we knew of any old orchards that might be still producing heirloom apples to get in touch with them.

   At the Historical Building I found that their display this summer has been on Native American Artifacts showing a number of arrowheads. If you have not been in to see it you might still have time to see the display.

    Thursday evening seventeen members turned out for the OES meeting in Milbridge, after our regular meeting we enjoyed reminiscing about the good old school days.

    On Saturday I attended the Genealogical Workshop held at the University of Maine at Machais and met some folks that I knew only on Facebook and other friends from the area. The speakers were: Nina Brawn on Genealogy on the Internet, John F. Battick & Nancy Battick on Basic Genealogy & Keeping your Records, Roxanne Moore Saucier on researching in Maine Libraries, Jan Eakins on Research in Maine and Valdine Atwood on Research in Washington County. Very interesting and learned some more on how to do research and organizing it as you go along. After returning home Carroll and I attended the Bake Bean Supper in Columbia Falls. Beans, Brown Bread, Chop Suey and Pies were all good. The best part of this was that I did not have to cook or clean up from the meal.

    On Sunday we traveled to Cherryfield for the open Winery Day at Catherine Hill Winery owned by Eric and Susan Meyer. There we tasted the different wines and listened to Penny & Payne music. We also sampled Cherryfield Chocolates and cheese by Jonesboro’s own Gardenside Dairy.  For more information on the Winery check out their website www.cathillwinery.com.

           

 

September 22, 2012

Photo: Mary Thompson of Addison speaking on  Children's Victorian Tea Sets

 

            The Pleasant River Historical Society met at the Addison Town Hall for their monthly meeting with Mary Thompson of Cape Split talking about her collection of children’s Victorian Tea Sets. Mary brought a number of tea sets to show us from the 1700’s to 1850’s. Members that attended the meeting were: Mary & Tim Thompson, Arleta & Lee Grant, Jeannette Perry, Cathy Fonda, Ronie Strout, Donna and Bob Garofalo, Courtney Bagley, and Virginia Swayne.

            If anyone is interested we do have more Addison cemetery books and 2013 calendars for sale; you can get them at the Town Hall or the Mayhew Library or contact one of the members.

            This week I had a phone conversation from Roland Grant of Montana who is researching the Tucker side of his family. He has been in contact with folks in England and they were able to send photos of a bench and plaque that was donated to a Church in England by Robert Dennard Tucker of Georgia. The plaque reads: In memory of William Tucker esquire and his wife Isota Ash, who were parishioners at Throwleigh during the early 16^th century.  Their descendants who settled in Bermuda and America, have worked, fought and preached for the perpetuation of the Christian and democratic ideals derived from their English origins. This pew was presented in 1987 by their descendent Robert Dennard Tucker of Atlantic, Georgia, U.S.A. Roland Grant is related to the Tuckers here in this area.

            Judy Sprague of Killeen, Texas is here visiting Peter Sawyer, friends and relatives for a couple of weeks.

            On Saturday Carroll and I attended the Common Ground Fair in Unity. While we were there, we were able to visit with our grandson Asa Washburn and his parents Diadem and Jesse of Boston who were there volunteering. This was Asa’s first camping trip with his parents. Usually we see a lot of folks from around our area that we know attending the fair, but this time we only saw Joan Yeaton of Addison. With all of the folks that come to this fair I suppose I could have missed seeing them.

 

Sept 30, 2012

Photo: Charles Alley Then & Now at the Jonesport Historical Society Meeting

 Photo: Carmen Gauthier Havie-St. Pierre and Louis Richard.

 

            Alcyone Chapter #71 in Milbridge will be hosting a Craft Fair on Sat. Nov.3rd from 8-2 at the Columbia Falls Municipal Building gym (old school house). Table rental is $10.00 anyone or Chapter interested in renting a table please contact Jolene Farnsworth @ 483-4178.

            Quintin Worcester of Florida has been in the area for the past week, visiting friends and family. While he was here Quintin proposed on top of Cadillac Mountain to his fiancée Toni while showing her MDI. They stopped by on Wednesday afternoon for a visit with us.

            Jean Christian –Richardson of Mass. formerly of Addison also visited with us on Wednesday afternoon, she was in the area visiting with her son Dale and his wife of Old Town.

            Thursday evening Paulette Viet and I attended the Jonesport Historical Society meeting with Betsy Fitzgerald Washington County Manager as our guest speaker. She spoke on the Washington County Court House and Possible Renovations. She told us about the Archives Committee working on preserving the Washington County weekly newspapers from 1818 to present, and that they have acquired a large document scanner and ancillary equipment to do this. Betsy spoke about the resources that Registry of Probate, Registry of Deeds and other County Resources had at the County Court House. She spoke of the Heritage Center that will be a Repository and access for County newspapers, County maps and a home for genealogy resources. The Heritage Center already has been promised two major genealogists’ collections. When this comes to past there also will be a reading room area for researchers, and a museum area for county artifacts. This will be the new home of the Washington County Historical and Genealogical Society. She also gave us a visual slide tour of the County Court House on paper.

            Those that attended the Jonesport meeting were: Arlene and Andy Hutnik, Donnie Woodward, Elna and Bob Daris, Bill and Barbara Plaskon, Rosalie Carver, Betty Beal, Charlie Alley, Paulette Viet, Betsy Fitzgerald, Cathy Perry, Ronie Strout, Carmen Gauthier Havre-St. Pierre and Louis Richard both of Quebec, Canada. St. Pierre and Richard was in Jonesport tied up at the dock while waiting for repairs to their GPS system on their sailing ship and have been walking the streets of Jonesport for a few days. They noticed that a meeting was being held so dropped on by.  We all were delighted to see them.

            Charlie Alley attended the meeting and was quite surprise to see a picture of him taken in 1952. It is not often to find when you attend a meeting yourself in a photo. Paulette Viet’s grandmother Bertha Look taught school in Jonesport and had this photo in her album.

            Condolences go out to all of our families of Aunt Ruberta Tucker of Concord, Massachusetts; she passed away on September 27 at the home of her grand niece Kate Holmes at the age of 96. Ruberta was the daughter of Susie Smith and Frank Tucker of Cherryfield, Maine; she was born 14 May 1916 in Cherryfield

and graduated from Cherryfield Academy. A lovely lady and we surely will miss her.

 

October 5, 2012

 

            On Saturday September 29^th a small gathering was held at Steve and Jan Morrison’s in Milbridge for the evening, plus we had a surprise birthday cake for Carroll. Those that were there was the usual, Steve & Jan Morrison, June & Harry Rolfe, Peter Sawyer, Judy Sprague and Carroll & Ronie Strout. Another enjoyable evening was had by all.

            Sunday brought another gathering at the Strout’s home in Addison with a 70^th birthday party for Carroll. Those that came were: Judy Sprague, Peter Sawyer, Ruberta & Steve Plummer, Jonathan Plummer, Sarah-Ann& Genevieve Hammond, Steve & Jan Morrison, Michelle & David McLaughlin, Tiffany, Konner & Zachary Strout, Dick & Sherry Paul, and Roberta Hammond. Lots of food and good conversation was had by all.

            Tuesday evening Carroll and I enjoyed a wedding anniversary meal at 44 degree North in Milbridge. We decided to not go too far this week, what with all of the activities we had recently.

            Put on your calendar the following events: Harrington will be having their Oktoberfest on Saturday October 13. They have a lot of festivities going on during the day. Let’s hope that the weather will be better this year.

            Eastern Star Alcyone Chapter #71 will be having a public Bake Bean & Casserole Supper on Saturday October 20 at the Masonic Lodge, Milbridge, Maine from 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Adults $8.00 and Children $5.00

            So many things happen during the fall weekends that I would like to attend, but alas it is impossible, so I guess I will have to choose won’t I?

            This pass week we got our supply of marafax beans for the winter, we surely will not go hungry. Saturday night bake bean suppers will be on our menu for a meal.

            We are now working on getting in our winter supply of fire wood. We get warm several times with each stick of wood. We cut it, split it, put it in the shed and pile it neatly, and then build a fire in our stove to cook our meals and heat the house. A lot of work but oh it sure does feel nice when the cold winds blow in the winter outside and we are toasty warm inside. I hope it is at least another month before we start up the coal stove for the winter.

            We will soon be getting our potatoes in from the garden and putting our garden to bed. Where has the summer gone?

            Belated wedding anniversaries go out to Dick and Sherry Paul on September 25 and Patricia & Morton Thaxter on October 2.

 

 

 

October 14, 2012

Photo of The World ya

cht in Eastport.

 

            Last weekend the 6^th of October we went on holiday, not a vacation but a holiday. We traveled to Nobleboro and spent the weekend visiting with Carroll’s family, Brett & Michelle Leighton at their home. Others that came on holiday were: Daniel & Carol Leighton of California, Gary & Bobbi Leighton and Aunt Susie Brewer of Augusta. On Sunday some of us went into Damariscotta to visit the shops, checked out the carved pumpkins along Main St. and the Pumpkinboat Regatta while there. Check out this website to see what the events were: http://www.damariscottapumpkinfest.com.

             Monday Carroll and I traveled home after first stopping at Moody’s Diner for breakfast, and then onto several Flea Markets in Searsport, the Book Barn in Bucksport, China Hill Restaurant in Ellsworth and then from there we ventured to the top of Cadillac Mountain. We saw many vehicles from all over the United States and tour buses enjoying the scenery. We then rode through Bar Harbor seeing lots of tourist on the streets and several large ships in the bay visiting the area. We ended out holiday with a trip to Jordan’s Snack Bar in Ellsworth for an ice-cream on the last day it was opened; the end of a very nice holiday.

            On Tuesday I traveled to Eastport with the X-C team and while they were doing their thing, I walked to the Barracks Museum. The museum provides a great deal of history about Eastport as each room has old photographs and items. Afterwards I walked down to the dock and saw The World largest privately owned yacht in the world, which was docked there for the day.

            Friday evening guest at our house were Judy Sprague, Peter Sawyer and Jan & Steve Morrison for a going away dinner for Judy was returning to her home in Texas on Saturday.

            On Saturday Oct 13, I went to the Harrington Oktoberfest. The town had a lovely parade and lots of things happening at the Bigalow Park for the rest of the day. A car show was also held at McLaughlin’s garage.

            Get well to two of our bus drivers Alfred Moore of Columbia Falls and Kevin Rice of Harrington.  They both have some health issues.

            Don’t forget the Eastern Star Alcyone #71 Chapter of Milbridge will be having a Marafax Bake Bean & Casserole Supper on Saturday October 20 at the Masonic Hall in Milbridge at 5 pm to 6:30 pm. Hope to see you all there!

 

October 21, 2012

Photo of the Schooner Beacon Won

           

            Thursday evening October 11 the Eastern Star Alcyone #71, Milbridge, Maine had 31 members that attended the meeting. Before the meeting an ESTARL Supper was held to raise money for leadership in religious service.

            On October 15, the Pleasant River Historical Society held a meeting at the Addison Town Hall. Reports were given on the cannons at the library. The work on them are right on schedule, as soon as the rain stops and the holes are pumped out, the forms will be made and County Concrete will do the concrete footings. We also discussed what some of our programs will be next year and decided we will work on this during the winter months starting in January. If anyone has any ideas please let us know what you would like to hear about. We are open for suggestions. There will be no meetings in November and December.

            Our speaker for the night was Capt. Bruce Dunham and his partner, Sheila Young along with a slide show talked about the Beacon Won wooden schooner that they finished building .Dino Fonda started to build the ship in 1988 all by himself, he worked on it till his death in 2003.    On Tuesday, October 16^th the schooner was finally launched with a good number of folks turning out to watch it. The schooner headed for Belfast where it will be finished off in the next few months. It seems strange to drive by there now and see it gone. It has been a part of our scenery for 24 years.  The ship will become a Christina mission ship in the Caribbean.

            On Wednesday evening, Maureen Healy of Columbia Falls, and Carroll and I ventured out to the movies and saw Hope Spring at the Milbridge theater. A few other folks also ventured out that evening to the movies.

            The supper that the Eastern Star of Milbridge sponsored on Saturday evening the 20^th was well attended. We had a couple from Milbridge that had never attended a bake bean supper before. I am sure they will now venture out to more of them.

            The benefit supper for Kevin Rice of Harrington was well attended with lots of great home cooked food. A great time was had by all and Kevin looked wonderful. We are glad he is on the mend.

            Barbara Tibbetts of Columbia has been under the weather lately, as well as Nona Cirone of Addison. I hope they both will be up and about soon.

            Belated happy birthday wishes go out to Elmer Morris of Addison; he turned 85 years young on October 21.

            Congratulations to Cameron and Megan Worcester of Steuben on the birth of their son Finley Jax Worcester on September 17, 2012. Finley is the grandson of Thomas and Cheryl Worcester and William and Janice Skinner of Columbia.

 

 

 

October 28, 2012

 

            While I was out and about with the bus I see that on top of Saco Hill in Columbia, rocks are being excavated from the ground to make the blueberry fields flat so that the blueberry harvesters can rake the berries. On Addison Point Road I have also seen some excavators there working. They are working long hours on these fields from sun up to sun down clearing the rocks from the land.

            Don’t forget the Craft Fair on Saturday November 3 at the Columbia Falls Municipality Building. I have seen posters up that there are more craft fairs that same day. You can plan your day out and be able to hit them all.

            On Thursday evening October 25, Jonesport Historical Society had their last meeting for the season with a nice crowd out for it. The presentation was a slide show by Bill Plaskon called “More Very Old Jonesport News”. The show included more than 50 newspaper articles from 1873- till 1885 provided by member Peg Kelly, with many related photos and documents.

            One of the articles told about the drowning of my great grandmother Nancy Ann Alley’s first husband John Alley in 1879.Nancy went on to marry my great grandfather Herman Grant of Columbia Falls. I will now have to see about getting a copy of it to put in my genealogy.

            On Saturday October 27 over 35 folks attended the Fifth Annual History Symposium at the Machias Grange Hall in Machias.  The speakers for the program were John and Carole Sprague of Marshfield who spoke about life along the Machias and Middle Rivers; Valdine Atwood of Machias read the ‘History of the Dike” and its impotence to the settlement of Machias; Stephen Sanfilippo a well known balladeer from Pembroke sang a ditty “Music of the Rivers” and writings of the area; and the last presentation was a slide show on the Two Rivers Campaign project of Downeast Coastal Conservancy.  I was impressed with all of the history of the Machias area that was presented during the day.  

            Carroll and I enjoyed the gathering at our friends in Milbridge, they will be leaving for their home in North Carolina after the storm that is suppose to hit along the East Coast this week.

            The Paul’s and Strout’s of Addison worked all day on Sunday putting in their winter fire wood. We will be warm for sure this winter.

            Get well wishes go out to Dick Paul of Addison and Peter Doak of Columbia Falls. Many of the students in the Addison school have been out of school due to illness for a few days. It is that time of year that the students catch a cold or whatever is going around.   

 

 

Nov 3, 2012   

 

            Most of the bus drivers of SAD #37 met on Friday October 26 to celebrate Bus Drivers Appreciation Day with their own treat of breakfast at Scroville’s in Harrington.

             Several of us bus drivers have been out for medical appointments these past weeks; we hope the students on our buses will behave when we have to have a spare to fill in for us. 

            Get well wishes to Roger Libby & Donald Tibbetts of Columbia, as well as to Russell Worcester of Columbia Falls.

            Sympathy extended to the family of Ellis Pineo in their loss of their family member.

            On Saturday, Maureen Healy of Columbia Falls and I traveled to four different craft fairs that were being held. We went to Wesley Elementary School first, then onto Machiasport Fort O’Brian School, then to the Sawyer Church in Jonesport and ended up at the Columbia Falls Gym. It was a nice day to get out and look at all of the things that had been made by the crafters and buy Christmas gifts for folks on my list.  Next week on Saturday there is one in Jonesport at the Elementary School that I know of for now. I just will have to check out the papers to see where there will be more in the area.

            I see that the Snowmobile Club of Cherryfield is having their first public supper this coming Saturday November 10^th at their club house on the Ridge Rd in Cherryfield. This is one of those well kept secrets for a great supper, we all know the locals that show up and have a great time socializing with them.

            Members of the Hannah Weston Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution will gather for a Dutch treat luncheon and meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 10^TH at the Bluebird Restaurant in Machias. Program for the afternoon will be the presentation “The Passamaquoddy in the Siege of Machias.” 

            There will be a collection for the Christmas candy that the chapter gives to area veterans residing in nursing homes. Members are also asked to note that November is the final reminder for the payment of their 2013 dues.

            Did any of you folks see that the editor of this paper is asking for recipes for the Machias 250^th Birthday Celebration Cookbook?  They are desperately in need of recipes of all kinds. Send them your favorite recipes either by snail mail or email to their address news@machiasnews.com – in the subject line put MVNO and Recipe. I have already sent mine now let’s see who else will help them out. I know I have 70 friends that I send my Out and About News to that must have something they can send. Lets all have a hand in this publication. 

            On Sunday Maureen Healy of Columbia Falls and I attended the Downeast Table of Plenty in Cherryfield. It is always great to get out and meet new folks and to listen to music that was provided. While there I met Nicole and Michael that has bought the Jacoby’s place in Columbia on the Pea Ridge Rd. They seem to be a nice young couple.

            .

 

November 11, 2012

Photo: Holly Davis with Regent Roberta Hammond became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Photo: Veterans honored at NHS Friday November 9, 2012

James Kennedy, Avery Chipman, John Lyford, & Kevin Rice

           

            Tuesday evening I was one of the ballot clerks for the Presidential Election at the Addison Town Hall, there were almost 600 folks that came out to vote for the election. It was a late night for all of us clerks. Thank goodness this is over, now the phone calls will stop. I just hope the people that got elected will do their best for all of us. I guess we really won’t know till another four years have gone by.

            Get well wishes go out to Stanley Mitchell, Russell Worcester, Roger Libby and all of the other folks that are not well.    

            I attended two Eastern Star meetings this week, Thursday evening Milbridge Alcyone #71 had thirteen out for the rainy evening and Friday evening Jonesport Rumery #46 had twelve out for theirs.

            On Friday Narraguagus High School had a lovely Veteran’s Day program and honored four veterans for their service to our country. John Sawyer presented a plague to  Avery Chipman, John Lyford, James Kennedy, and Kevin Rice for their service to our country..  

            On Saturday, Arlene Seavey and I stopped at three craft fairs on our way to Machias via Jonesport and Jonesboro and did some Christmas shopping. I know there are several more craft fairs coming up in the next few weeks that is a must to go to.  

            Twelve members attended the DAR meeting at the Bluebird Restaurant where we welcomed our newest member Holly Davis of Jonesport to the Daughters of the American Revolution. At this meeting I was presented a certificate from the Regent Roberta Hammond which stated that the Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Research Committee recognized me of the Hannah Weston Chapter, Maine for Outstanding Research in the Northeastern Division.

            Saturday evening Maureen Healy and I attended the public supper in Cherryfield where we socialized with everyone. It was great seeing Leta and Nancy Bagley, Sally and Earlon Thompson of Columbia Falls, Linda and Dick Mahan of Beddington, Randy and Joanne Gray of Brewer, and Jack and Doreen Gray of Ellsworth were just a few that was there. I love to go just to see the older folks and say hi; of course some of us are beginning to be of that age group ‘the older folks’. The snowmobile club will have their next supper in January so if you missed this one stay tuned for the date in January.

            The hunters in my family have been to and from the hunting camp in Exeter this month. It does not seem possible that Thanksgiving is upon us next week and hunting season will soon be over.

 

November 18, 2012 

This week I have been going to and from doctor appointments and now will be laid up for a few weeks. Thanksgiving is upon us does not seem possible that this month is about over. The hunting season will be soon over except for black powder week for the hunters that did not get one during the regular season. The ACE Hardware Store in Columbia has closed; we do hope some other business will take its place I have finally finished a geanealogy project that I started the first of the year for Huddy Peterson; now she can sit at her computer and read letters dated in the early 1900's to her grandmother that I scanned and put on a CD. I also scanned pictures and postcards for another CD for her. A happy birthday wish goes out to Genevieve Hammond of Harrington on the 13, Nancy Grant French on the 19 and to my son Matthew St.Pierre of Etna on November 28. Get well wishes go out to Mike Bagley of Addison.

 

Nov. 25, 2012

 

This past week has had me in a turmoil; on Tuesday I headed to Bangor for an eye appointment that did not turn out well. I left from Bangor to go directly to The New England Eye Center in Boston. It was scheduled so that I went straight from the bus depot to my appointment. My daughter Diadem met me and helped me to find my way there.

On Wednesday I was back to the office to see the specialist where he told me that he would not operate on my eye because he thought it would heal. So now I wait till this coming Wednesday for another scan to see what will happen. Meanwhile I am here in Boston at my daughters enjoying the visit with my grandson Asa. I might as well enjoy the visit and hope everything else will turn out well in the week to come.

My daughters' in laws have also been here over the holidays; so our grandson has been immersed in grandmothers for a few days. We celebrated Thanksgiving together along with their cousins. On Friday afternoon we all took a lovely walk to Ronan Park that is very close by to Diadem's home.

Meanwhile back at home my husband had our son Zachary's family in for a late afternoon Thanksgiving Dinner.

Saturday afternoon we all attended the annual Christmas tree lighting and caroling at the Rev. James K. Allen Park in Dorchester which was within walking distance of the kids home.

Sunday Jesse's parents returned to their home in Penobscot, Maine.

Congratulations to David McLaughlin of Harrington and Jonathan Plummer of East Machias and Kaleb Kenney of Columbia Falls on getting a deer this season.

 

December 1, 2012

The Town of Columbia lost another business when ACE Hardware closed on November 10th. This site was a grange hall in the beginning, then I remember a restaurant was there for awhile. I remember going upstairs in the grange hall when it was called the Bargain Box and there were lots of great stuff to be found; a gigantic indoor yard sale. The Bargain Box burnt in 1969 if I remember correctly and then Elmer Morris rebuilt the corner and called it Morris Discount Store, but it was always the Bargain Box to most of us before it became the Crossroad Store. Hopefully someone will come in and reopen it up for another business in the area.

I was told that Lois Young and daughter Hayley will be opening the Blondie's Bake Shoppe in the former Tattoo parlor at the Four Corners. They will be offering pastries, cupcakes, breads, pies, specially cakes, hand crafted candies, soft drinks, coffee and tea. The decor will represent the 50's and there will be some inside seating available. Sounds like a place we will have to pop on in and try their goods. We wish them luck on their new adventure. 

Marianne Rice was in Lewiston Thursday and is now home staying warm with this cold weather that has decided to come to us.

Some of the bus routes have had to double up due to bus drivers being ill in our district. Yes even bus drivers get sick once in awhile. We seem to catch what the kids bring onto the bus when they are sent to school sick, please be patient with us when this happens. 

Huddy Peterson's barn has a new face lift, always nice to see that a barn is saved instead of tearing it down. It houses her horses and the wreath business that is going on at the moment.
I just found out that Lynn Marston of Columbia Falls will behaving a yard sale at Pleasant View Manor on Dec.8 from 9 -2. There just might be something there that you can't live without.

Condolences go out to the family of Graig Cirone Sr of Addison on his passing.

Congratulations to Jeremy Tyler on getting a nice buck this year.

December 6, 2012

Looks like there is something going on with the old Columbia Market I have heard that someone has bought it and has started to shingle the buildings. Maybe we will have another supermarket coming in. Whatever for a business it should produce some work for the locals. Here's hoping in the new year we will know what is going on.

I had another appointment a the New England Eye Center in Boston on Thursday; everything is coming along well for me. I hope to be back home this coming week and back to work.

Columbia Falls United Methodist Church now has a face book page. You can check it out at http://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaFallsUnitedMethodistChurch

The Holiday House Tour that Columbia Falls had this pass week was a huge success I am told. I really am sorry that I was unable to attend, hopefully next year they will have another one.

On Saturday my daughter and husband took me to China Town for a meal and then to a movie; afterwards we visited with some friends of theirs before we returned home.

Condolences to the Hammond family on their loss of their family member Richard Hammond Jr.

 

December 16, 2012

Photo: Oldest residents of Addison at the Annual Senior Citizens Banquet:  Donald Grant and Doris Joy of Addison

           

            Thoughts and prayers go out to the community of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT in their loss.

            Condolences go out to the family of Duncan Grant, son of Roger and Gloria (Worcester) Grant formerly of Columbia, Maine. He leaves his wife Ellen and three children Taylor, Ian and Andrew of Michigan.       

            On Sunday of last week I arrived home from Boston and went back to work. My students were very happy to see me as I was to see them.

            Thursday evening there were nineteen members out to Eastern Star Alcyone Chapter #71 of Milbridge with three from Irene Chapter #97 Ellsworth, one from Almeda Chapter #149 Guilford, one from Aldworth Chapter #39 of Milo and one from Rumney Chapter #46 of Jonesport.

            On Saturday after spending an enjoyable shopping trip to Ellsworth for a good cause in shopping for needy children I returned home with many items now to be wrapped and to be delivered to them this coming week. .

            On Saturday evening December 15 over one hundred senior citizens of Addison attended a turkey and ham meal with all of the fixings at the Addison Town Hall given by the Addison Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. Congratulations go out to Doris Joy 97 and Donald Grant 86 on being the oldest residents of the Town of Addison.

             On Sunday I finally got my tree up and decorated after attending the award ceremony at Narraguagus High School for the Intramural Athletics Basketball program run by Danny and Mindy Kane of Addison. My grandson Konner along with all the others that played on the teams received a trophy for participation followed by a pizza party in the cafeteria. .

  

December 21, 2012

            Photo: Quail in a pear tree, Machias, Maine

            The Christmas Concert at the Harrington Elementary was adorable with all of the students dressed in their finest. The little grades are always the cutest and they all did a wonderful job on singing.

            This is the season to especially remember the needy in your own towns. A lot of children will go without as well as some senior citizens.

            Get well wishes go out to Robert Redimarker and Sheila Batson of Addison, this is not the best of time to be sick around the holidays. I hope everyone will stay healthy during the holidays.

            On Friday the local schools had their Christmas parties and the students all had to show me what they got for a gift. Wow is all that I can say, they really made out quite well.

            Harrington Elementary was all decorated with wreaths on their doors and a winter scene as you walked into the school. The school was beginning to look a lot like Christmas there.

            With the coming week, I will be enjoying spending some time with my grandsons over the holidays. Christmas is for kids and it will be nice to have the little ones around the home front

            In Machias there is a house with the cutest decoration on it, a quail in a pear tree. I had to stop and take a photo of it. I had spoken with the folks this summer on how I enjoy checking out their door over the holidays. Some folks are just plain crafty. I finished decorating my house outside and inside for the holidays on Friday and now I will enjoy it for a month or so.

            Merry Christmas to all.

 

 

 

December 29, 2012

 

            A benefit dinner will be held on Sunday January 6^th 2013 from 11-2 at the Milbridge Elementary School for three year-old Mason Leighton son of Michael and Dawn Marie Leighton. Mason has been diagnosed with Type B Leukemia recently and will be having intense testing and treatment.

            Please keep my cousin Rebecca (Grant) Hall in your prayers; she will be having an operation sometime next week for a tumor on her brain.

            Friday both Carroll and I had doctor appointments in Bangor. The roads were not good traveling to Bangor but on the way home they had improved.

            Our daughter Diadem and her family Jesse and baby Asa were here over Christmas. It was great having a little one around the house again at Christmas. Asa was delightful to have here and we sure do miss him and his parents.

            Our guests on Christmas Eve for a seafood stew were: David and Michelle McLaughlin, Zachary, Tiffany and Konner Strout all of Harrington, Jesse, Diadem and Asa Washburn of Dorchester, Mass.

            The snow storm dropped over 12 inches of snow in our yard, and I hear we may get more sometime in the coming week.

            This week I have heard from George E. Sawyer of Biddeford, Maine looking for information on the Native American relationship that is supposedly in our ‘Worcester’ family. If I could only prove it would be something. It is just a story passed down through out the generations. I believe it is true as we can not find out who Jude Norard parents were and that is usually a clue if we come up to a dead end.  Many folks have tried to do this research and come up empty handed. My DNA kind of proves it on my mother's side, but who knows for sure, I don’t. I also think everyone in this area has some Native American in their blood.The best thing a 'Worcester male could do is have a DNA test and see what turns up.

            One lady in Addison had called me and said she had been on the reservation and talked with someone there that actually said yes he knew for sure we were related to him; but would not follow through for us with the proof. I guess this will always remain a mystery for us.  If anyone can hand us the proof we would always be grateful to you.

            Have a Happy New Year and I will try to get out and about to see what’s happening in the area.