As I start writing this column (Friday the 16th) we are getting some more much needed rain. The last bout of rain I measured 1 1/2 inches in my rain gauge. Time will tell how much we receive this time around. * Update* We received a half inch.

Mills Market is hiring for a breakfast position, 4:30-11 am Monday to Friday. For more information contact Trish at the store or stop by Mills to fill out an application. You still have time to stop by the store and enter the Big Buck Contest. $500 starting pot donated by the Mills Market Big Buck Committee. Winner takes all – heaviest deer wins. $20 entry fee and must enter by October 30th. Deer must be field dressed (no heart, liver, or lungs) Must be weighed at Mills Market. Ends with Muzzleloader season. Enter in-store only.

The Big Buck Committee has the final say on winner. Good luck out there, and happy hunting.

Last Saturday my Uncle Mac and cousin Ben travelled from the Waterville area to have a visit with my dad, my husband, and myself. Dad made a gift of 2 of his firearms to his nephew Ben so they wanted to get all the info on those and the stories that go along with them from dad. We enjoyed a delicious lunch (as always) at Mills Market. It was a lovely day catching up and hearing tales from years past. I really enjoyed seeing my father talking and engaging with family.

The Andover Service Circle recently had this to say: A huge thank you to everyone who came out and joined us for our 22nd Annual Senior Appreciation Dinner! We hope everyone had a wonderful evening! We also want to give a big THANK YOU to all of our amazing volunteers who helped make the night possible, and to our wonderful community members who donated raffle items. Your generosity and support are truly appreciated! We’re so grateful for our community and everyone who helps make events like this possible. Thank you for helping us make it another great evening! I’m so glad that this annual dinner was so well attended. The ASC is a true gem in our community.

My dear friend (and recently retired...yay for you!) Amber has asked me to share the Retro Rewind 2nd annual adult Prom info with all of you. This takes place in mid-November so it will give anyone interested in this scholarship fundraiser plenty of time to plan. Add it to your calendar today and please spread the word. See the attached poster and QR code for all the info. Let’s make this a success!

Next Thursday October 29th, the Andover Public Library will be having their adult paint night and fundraiser from 6-8. It’s not too late to sign up. I have reserved my spot and am looking forward to this very much. I have attended a few of the paint nights in the past and I love how they are basically the same but different as people put their own spin on them. Come and join in on all the spooky holiday fun, ‘tis the season, and you get to see me ha ha.

The Town of Andover has another job opportunity: The Town is accepting applications for the Treasurer position. This hourly non-exempt position is perfect for someone seeking a flexible part-time, 20-hour work week. The position is eligible for benefits including holiday, vacation, and sick pay, participation in the town’s health and vision insurance plans and MainePERS.

The preferred candidate is responsible for the administrative and fiscal work in handling of Town funds, working closely with the Selectboard. Work involves cash management, maintaining relationships with financial institutions and the public; disbursing funds to cover expenditures and mandated reporting managed by federal and state law and town ordinance/policy and preparing and administering department budgetary reports; work is performed under the general supervision of the Selectboard with considerable independence of action in accordance with applicable laws and following generally accepted accounting practices; work is reviewed through observation, verification, internal audit and through fiscal audit.

The preferred candidate will have experience in: payroll processing, accounts payable and receivable, working with vendor contracts, managing annual budget building process, accounts reconciliation and deposits, able to be bonded, municipal bonds and notes, municipal (TRIO or like) software system, will need to be, or become, a Notary of the Public, will attend Selectboard meetings as requested and Annual Town Meeting, have reliable transportation for out-of-town bank deposits. The ideal candidate will also have experience in administering Human Resource/employee benefits.

This list is a sample, not inclusive, of the roles and responsibility of this position. This position remains open until a qualified candidate is hired. Please visit the Town Office, 17 Stillman Road, Andover, Maine for an application. Submit your application with a current resume and cover letter to the Town Office, PO Box 219, Andover, Maine 04216, Attn: Selectboard or email both as separate PDF attachments (not as Google doc links) to secretary@andovermaine.gov. Selected candidates will be notified by phone and/or email for an interview.

As always please send any news, info or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com

First and foremost, I would love to ask for healing prayers and wishes for Mark Farrington. He was involved in a terrible automobile accident on October 8th. He had life-threatening injuries and was taken by Life Flight to Maine Medical Center where he remains. From what I understand he has had some surgeries with more to come. Healing thoughts and prayers are coming your way, Mark, and to your family as well.

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Well, it is finally done! All of my dad’s firewood is stacked in his woodshed. Ours? Not so much, but almost done.

We have had fires in our wood stove a few of these chilly mornings. Today (Sunday the 4th) it was 32 degrees at 6 am. Brrrr...not ready for that quite yet. From the latest weather report there will be a few more of those chilly mornings coming up.

I checked in with Becca at Mills Market today (Tuesday the 6th) and found that 20 bull moose were tagged at the store during the Sept. 28th-Oct. 3rd moose hunting week. The biggest weighed in at 858 pounds. The next bull only moose season (in our area) is Oct. 12th-17th. Good luck and safe hunts to all that enter the woods.

Right now is general hunting for bear through Nov. 28th. Bear trapping runs through Oct. 31st and hunts with dogs will run through Oct. 30th. Regular archery for deer started Oct. 3rd and that season goes through Oct. 30th. Youth days for deer are Oct. 23rd and 24th. Maine residents only firearms day this year is Oct. 31^st, then firearms season for all runs from Nov. 2nd-Nov. 28th. It is also ruffed grouse season Sept. 26th-Dec. 31st. Fall turkey season in our area started on Sept. 14th and ends on Nov. 7th. Be safe and aware when enjoying the fall woods, one and all. Don’t forget to enter the Mills Market Big Buck Contest before October 30th. I always dream and “donate” my $20, haha.

With fall rapidly coming on, several of the Andover Food Pantry volunteers are planning to head out of town for the winter. Therefore, more volunteers are needed - especially Monday mornings (about 8 to 10) to help unload deliveries. Assistance by volunteers on Tuesday mornings (8 to 10) to restock shelves and help shoppers is also needed. Please contact Terri Towle by calling 401-524-5462 to volunteer or ask questions.

I saw my last hummingbird early last week and none since. I guess the time has come to bring in the feeder and give it a good thorough cleaning before putting it away until spring. I have seen that our cardinal family has a young one. It is as big as the parents and chirps very loudly while flapping its wings waiting to get fed. I have seen both the male and the female share the feeding duties. I have tried in vain to get a picture. It seems that they are quite camera shy.

The Gammon Bison Farm had an unexpected fall baby join the herd. The herd will be in the back fields for the next couple of weeks, but they will be posting pictures on their Facebook page. I have borrowed one their pictures so you can see the fuzzy little one.

Please remember to mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 20th at 4 pm. The Andover Library will host a Spooky Stories of Maine event. You can come and recount a scary story that you’ve read or experienced. Or share a favorite spooky story anthology (ghost stories of Maine, unexplained mysteries of New England, etc.).

Another spooky event to pencil in is the Annual Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat event put on by the Andover Common Folk:

HALLOWEEN FUN IN ANDOVER! Join the Andover Common Folk to walk our annual Halloween Parade, Trunk or Treat, and neighborhood Trick or Treating! October 31, 2026—Parade lineup: 3:45 pm at The Common. Parade starts: 4:00 pm. Trunk or Treat: The Common, following the parade. Then head out for Trick or Treating! Stop by the Andover Historical Society’s Creepy Candy Store! Come inside, grab some treats, and discover all the haunting history Andover has to offer! HELP LIGHT UP HALLOWEEN! Bring your carved pumpkins on Friday after school to The Common gazebo for our lighted pumpkin display! Get your costumes ready, gather the family, and join us for an evening of Halloween fun! I think this is always a super fun event for kids and adults alike. And being that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year it certainly should be very well attended.

Please send any news or events my way! diananadeau@ymail.com

It is hard to believe that October is here already! The color on the leaves is really starting to pop right now. The Nor’ Easter seemed to have fizzled a bit in our area. We certainly need the rain, but not the wind that goes along with storms of that type. I measured 1.25 inches in my rain gauge over the course of the few days of rain that we did get.

Speaking of October, here are a few dates to mark on your calendar:

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Last Tuesday my bff Velora and I traveled to Waterville to see Celtic Thunder. It was a first for us, both seeing the group and the venue. Our evening started out with dinner at The Proper Pig. Everything was delicious and we left rather stuffed.

The Opera House is very beautiful and upon entering we noticed a sign that stated we could purchase a meet and greet with two of the group members after the show. We thought “Why not!” I’m so glad we did; it was great fun. There was a Q & A session, trivia questions from Neil and Ronan and time for autographs.

I won a signed Celtic Thunder poster during the trivia portion. We also ran into our High School English teacher, Mr. Abbott! Of course we had to grab a “selfie.”

Suffice to say that we both had an amazing time. PS If you haven’t heard “Seven Drunken Nights” it’s worth a listen and a laugh.

This past Saturday the Ellis River Riders had a show at the ERR grounds. On Friday evening some troublesome coyotes (we are really having a big problem with those in our neighborhood) spooked one of the horses out of its enclosure. The word spread and quite of few people from South Andover and beyond headed out to help. I went and walked my property with a spotlight hoping to find the runaway as it was loose in unfamiliar territory. The owner and others searched until 1:30 am to no avail. On Saturday morning he was found safe and sound at Kim and Danny Peare’s around 7 am. Thanks to Joe Martin for leading him off Route 5 and onto their property until the grateful owner came to retrieve him. We not only have a wonderful horse community, but a community of people that will drop everything to try and help when help is needed. So glad for a happy ending to the story.

Here is some news provided by our neighbors, The Ellis Pond Sidekicks, about their EPSK scholarships. Here are the highlights. Applications are open to anyone who will be between 9 and 18 during the summer of 2027 and are related to an EPSK member. The scholarships are $300 each for a 2027 summer program at the UMaine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Application deadline is December 1, 2026. Right now it looks like we’ve raised enough for eight $300 scholarships. Provided below is the link to the camp.

What a great opportunity for some young folks!

https://extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/summer-camp/

Just a reminder that there will be a potluck lunch this Saturday, the 26^th, at 11:30 am, at the Andover Congregational Church. Please come join in the fun. Drinks will be provided. If the weatherman is right and it’s going to be a rainy day, what better way to spend it having some yummy food and conversation.

This coming Saturday, September 26th from 1-3 P.M. at the Andover Library, there will be a Fall Flavors Soup Share. Bring a small pot of your favorite soup and a recipe to share. Bowls and spoons will be provided.

Tuesday, October 20^th, at 4 P.M., the Andover Library will host a Spooky Stories of Maine event. You can come and recount a scary story that you’ve read or experienced. Or share a favorite spooky story anthology (ghost stories of Maine, unexplained mysteries of New England, etc.)

These sound like fantastic events to welcome in the fall season. If time permits I would love to do both! There are more events coming up that I will post in a future column. Great things are happening at the Andover Public Library!

Last Saturday I had the honor and pleasure of attending the wedding of a former AES student of mine. We have kept in touch over the years and I was touched when I received an invitation in the mail. It was a very unique and beautiful ceremony held outside on the most perfect fall day. It was a Celtic/Medieval themed wedding, the likes that I have never seen before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Congratulations to the Thaxters on finding their happily ever after.

Please send any news or events my way...I really do appreciate all the emails I receive! diananadeau@ymail.com

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I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. So hard to believe that September is well underway. It seems like summer just started. We need to fill our oil tank before cold weather hits us; we have kept an eye on the prices all summer, but they don’t seem to have come down too much. We have been diligently working on our firewood as well as my dad’s and still have quite a bit more to put away.

On Wednesday, August 26^th, I was able to attend the hydrangea wreath-making at the Andover Public Library. Thanks to Eileen Pew for putting this together and providing the vast totes of hydrangeas! We were seated outside in the shade; it was an absolutely perfect day for crafting outdoors. All the wreaths turned out beautiful. I loved how everyone put their own personal touches on them. Big thanks go out to Christine Swain for providing the yummy snacks and beverage for all of us. It was very much appreciated. All in all, it was a wonderful day. There was talk about possibly doing a Christmas wreath. I will certainly update here if that indeed does take place.

Here is a notice from the Andover Service Circle: Our September meeting is coming up! If you’re looking for a way to give back to our community, consider joining us. You don’t have to commit right away; come to a meeting see what we’re all about. This will be held at the CEB at the Andover Congregational Church tonight, Thursday the 10th, at 6:30 pm.

The Pineland Ski and Outing Club will be holding a meeting (the second of two) tonight, the 10^th, also. It will be held at the Andover Town Hall at 6:00 pm. The club is seeking input on the types of activities and events they should be offering for the local community. If you have ideas for how they should be using the club’s property in South Andover, the club would love to hear about that too. Are you an Andover resident or visitor? Do you enjoy non-motorized outdoor recreation? If you answered yes to both of these questions, they would love to hear from you!

Here are some notices from the Andover Town Office:

Fall Clean-up dates. The Andover Transfer Station will be accepting bulky items during normal business hours. A few things to be sure of: Your Andover Transfer Station sticker is visible at time of drop-off. During this time, they will be accepting couches, soft furniture, mattresses, etc. Payment options for bulky items include at the Station (exact cash or check) or pre-pay for items at the Andover Town Office. Transfer Station hours are M, T, Th – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wed from Noon – 5 p.m.

Please take note that on September 15 and 16 (next Tuesday and Wednesday) the Town Office will be closed for Election Trainings.

I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Wally Ritz, who was the correspondent for East Bethel. Condolences go out to her family and friends and also sincere condolences go out to Linda Howe and family on the passing of their son Jonathan. I was fortunate to meet Wally once in Andover when she was there with her good friend Deb Brown. And I also got to know Linda Howe when I worked for the Bethel Citizen; she was a frequent visitor and a much welcome ray of sunshine.

Dirk MacKnight sends out this message: Thank you to the following volunteers who helped me with the topcoating and lining of the pickleball courts! Without your help this would have never happened. Christina Belinski, Pam Berry, Donnie Brann, Bill Bray, Bruce Bryant, Mary Cloutier, Rachel DeTillis, Ed Dobson, Ron Dube, Tim Learned Jr., Brian Mills, Claire Sessions, KJ Swan, Per Tripp, Nancy Wahlstrom, and Carl Wahlstrom.

On Friday, September 4^th, I attended the last of the Andover Summer Concert Series. The Acoustipalians entertained the end of summer series crowd. It was a superb evening full of music and laughter. It was certainly apparent how much the time has changed; as the concert wrapped up it was already dark out. The “ber” months are upon us, September, October, November and December.

On September 5th, as my belated trip around the sun present (September 2nd), my two friends Amy and Tracy and I journeyed to New Hampshire to see George Thorogood and ZZ Top. We had such a fun road trip with stops along the way for shopping and lunch. The highlight of the trip was finding out, much to our surprise, that George Thorogood was staying in our hotel! We found out when our elevator, which was heading to the lobby, stopped on the fourth floor and as the doors opened, there he was! His security guard, seeing that the elevator was full (and I may have yelled out his name in surprise) smartly stated they would catch the next one. It was a fun-filled overnight with two great friends. Memories of a lifetime.

I hope all my faithful readers are doing well. Please send any news or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com

Our group then headed to the church looking forward to a few hours of entertainment by Mr. Breau and he certainly didn’t disappoint. We were treated with some of his original songs that he had written. Amy and I had tears in our eyes after hearing “Holding my Daughter’s Daughter” written after holding his first granddaughter. And thankfully he played the “Nine Pound Hammer” as I had asked for by special request for my dear sweet dad. I think he had the biggest grin in the crowd while Denny played it.

The last show in the Andover Summer Concert Series will be the Acoustipalians on September 4th on the Andover Common. I hope that the weather will be perfect for the wrap-up to the season. The concert starts at 6 pm and is free, as always with donations gladly accepted. All the generous donations will make sure that this tradition continues. Thanks to Pete Coolidge and those behind the scenes for the hard work all these years to bring these amazing performers to Andover.

This past week saw a handful of folks putting in a few days of work on the town tennis court. Thanks to Dirk, Bruce, KJ, Bill, and Mary, the court has been sealed and new lines for pickleball have been painted. The court is closed through tonight to let everything cure and dry thoroughly. Great job one and all! It does indeed take a village. A good source of information about things like this is the Andover Recreation Committee Facebook page.

On Saturday morning I attended the celebration of life for Mike Mills, who had recently passed, at the Andover Town Hall. The Hall was packed with people gathering to share memories and tributes to Mike. Continued prayers and thoughts go out to the Mills family.

It is back to school time, please be on the lookout for students getting to and from school. MSAD #44 and the Andover Elementary School started yesterday, the 26th. I’m sure that students and staff alike are asking where the summer went. I want to wish all of my dear school friends a great school year. It does seem a bit unusual still after my 23-year school career that I am not gearing up to go back. I am sure that Linda Stowell understands this as well. I always looked forward to “music day” so I could see Linda...those were certainly the days!

On Saturday I spent the day with my Ya Ya friends. It ended up not being a very good “float” day but we did have Captain Toby give us all a nice leisurely pontoon boat ride around the pond.

As always we laughed and ate very well, we certainly didn’t go home hungry! Thanks to all my dear friends, Tracy, Stacy, Steph, Amy, and Tammy for a fantastic day.

Here are a couple notices from the Andover Town Office:

The Town of Andover is conducting its yearly assessing of new and existing properties over the next few weeks. Please be advised that the following employees of John E. O’Donnell & Associates have permission from the Town of Andover to assess properties in town as needed. Please call the Andover Town Office at 207-392-3302 if you have any questions or concerns. You may also call O’Donnell & Associates at 207-926-4044. Thank you for your cooperation. The table below lists each field agent, their vehicle registration, and a description of their vehicle.

Also, the Selectboard is seeking the names of Andover residents interested in filling an unanticipated Andover School Board vacancy as of August 5. The appointment is for the remainder of the term for Michelle York, who recently resigned. Those interested in the position should call the Andover School for more details such as length of term, when and where the board meets, rate of pay, and requirements of the position. Interested person(s) will submit their name and contact to the Town Office or email it to secretary@andovermaine.gov on or before September 1, 2026 at noon. The Selectboard will consider all candidates at their September 1 meeting and, if there are applicants, vote to fill the vacancy, with the appointment effective immediately following the appointment.

Please send any news or events my way, and as always, faithful readers, have a great week. diananadeau@ymail.com

RIP Dolly

I also had a lovely getaway last weekend. I went to Ironbound Pond with my bff, Amy, to her mother’s camp in Solon. The weather was perfect, we ate well, laughed a lot, floated on the pond and played games. All in all a much needed fun getaway.

Amy is coming back up here this weekend to go along with my husband, Bob, my dad, Ken, and myself to see Denny Breau at the Andover Congregational Church on Friday. This is the next concert in the Andover Summer Concert Series. The time is from 6-8 and promises to be a wonderful evening of entertainment. Concerts are free but donations to keep this summertime tradition going are gladly accepted.

Then on Saturday we are going to our friend Tracy’s camp along with all the other members of our Ya Ya group to have a visit. Floating on North Pond and variety of potluck items are on the agenda. One last hooooorah before Amy goes back to work as a lunch lady for the school year.

How is it possible that the school year is already upon us? It has been a bit of a busy couple of weeks but things will slow down and revert back to firewood duties no doubt.

Dirk MacKnight is looking for volunteers to help topcoat the new courts in town. They will be applying 3 coats and painting lines when dried. The plan is to work Wednesday (already gone by before this column is sent out) but they still need people this Thursday and Friday beginning at 9:00. Unfortunately, they have to apply the coatings in the mornings to give it time to dry before nightfall. If you can help please message him on Facebook and let me know what day(s). This would be good for a student that needs to log some community service hours.

Mills Market is hiring a Breakfast Cook. Saturdays and Sundays 4 am-11 am with potential of full time. The store is looking for a reliable, dependable breakfast cook to join their crew. If you’re hardworking, dependable, can handle a busy morning, and want to be part of a great local team, they would certainly love to hear from you. Experience preferred, but the right attitude and work ethic mean just as much. Mills Market is such an asset to our little town. Always the gathering spot for the locals and those traveling through as well. They are truly the hardest working crew in town.

The Andover Elementary School will be holding an open house for the incoming Pre-K and Kindergarten students on Monday, August 24th. Please see the attached flyer.

Here is a timely word from the Andover PTA:

We need YOU! Our PTA needs more parents! Our PTA was created many years ago as a way to keep parents involved in our little school and, most importantly, to let our kids know that we are here supporting them every step of the way. The truth is, we have a very small group of parents who keep things going, and it takes all of us to keep our school the special place that it is. We put a LOT of time, love, and work into making things happen for the kids, and we want so badly to keep that going. But we simply can’t do it without more parents stepping in.

This is a bittersweet year for me and our PTA president because it will be our last year as our kids are moving on to junior high. We would love nothing more than to see some new parents come hang out with us, get involved, and carry this little tradition forward. PLEASE don’t think joining the PTA means you have to attend every meeting! We know life is busy. We know schedules are crazy. Helping at an event, donating your time, sharing an idea, volunteering when you can, or simply showing up for the kids is just as important. Every little bit makes a difference.

At the end of the day, we’re just a bunch of parents trying to make a difference. We want our kids to look around and see their parents cheering them on, supporting them, and being part of these important early years. So come hang out with us! Come meet other parents, help with an event, bring an idea, or just see what we’re all about. We have put so much heart into making this school year special for our kids, and we want the tradition to continue long after our kids move on. We need you. Our kids need you. And our little school needs you. Let’s make this year the best one yet—and make sure the PTA continues to be just as strong for the years to come! Come join us. Let’s do this together! ~ The Andover PTA

I was fortunate enough to work at the Andover Elementary School for 15 years and it genuinely is a special place, full of school spirit and a feeling of community. I believe that the first student day for AES is next Wednesday, the 26th.

Please send any news or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com

I was able to attend the latest in the Andover Summer Concert Series featuring The Cobblestones. My husband and my friend Stacy were able to come along with me which made it all the more enjoyable. The common was packed with music lovers to take in this talented group. They also had a special guest joi…

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My friend Amy traveled up from Standish and took in all the events with me last weekend.

Friday evening the weather was absolutely perfect to take in the two music acts, Brad Hooper and James Rice, on the common. Lots of talent between those two gentlemen. In between those performers was the hilarious blueberry pie eating contest. The winner of that contest was Andover native Robin Palmer.

Saturday morning dawned bright and beautiful so we headed up early to get a good parking spot; if you wait they are hard to come by. Coffee and breakfast from Mills Market was first on the agenda, followed by a stroll on the common to check out all the vendors. Then a visit to the photography contest. I had one Honorable Mention on a picture from Ireland that I had entered. There were a lot of beautiful pictures this year. A big thanks to Chad and his crew to keep this tradition going.

Sharon Hutchins was the Parade Marshal this year. The parade entered town a bit after 10 am with Mr. Larry Costa’s assorted military equipment, area fire trucks and ambulances, a few horseback riders, atv’s, political candidates and floats. Quite a few participants were throwing candy much to the children’s delight. I may have snagged a Tootsie Roll or two myself.

We then strolled to the antique, classic, and hot rod car show. That is always a favorite of mine, and judging from the amount of people, it was a favorite of theirs too. The food trucks on and around the common made it very hard to choose what to have for lunch!

We stayed until the prize button drawings were complete, sitting comfortably in the shade with our camping chairs, then it was home to enjoy the ac and cool down.

Here are the winners of the 73rd annual flower show:

SINGLE SPECIMEN:

1st: Patty Flaherty

2nd: Claire Sessions

3rd: Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi

BROAD STRIPES BRIGHT STARS

1st: Sy Littlehale

2nd: Jan Peaslee

3rd: Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi

PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTY

1st: Sy Littlehale

2nd: Jan Peaslee

3rd: Jordan Chase

AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN

1st: Sy Littlehale

2nd: Joan Faulkner

3rd: Joan Faulkner

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

1st: Jeremy Bourque

2nd: Mark Lewis

3rd: Sy Littlehale

BEST IN SHOW

Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi

Judges Award

Sy Littlehale

The society had 11 participants and 25 arrangements, five more arrangements since the 2025 show.

The photography contest winners were: Overall Grand Prize/Best in show was Ice Cream Dog by Dawn Grondin. Most Creative/Unique-Angelo Kaltsos award was Daisies by Dawn Grondin. Top Honorable Mention was Black Blobs by Katie Chambers.

The winners of the floats in the parade were: 1st place Jeff Wardwell with Camping Through the Years and 2nd place was the Ellis Pond Sidekicks with their fun and funny beach themed float...congrats to all!

On Sunday, August 9, 2026 From 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the (Frye Cross Over Bridge Roxbury Maine) Roxbury Community Historical Society will be hosting a Bridge renaming / Dedication to “Roxbury / Frye Veterans Memorial Bridge.” The location is the Frye Cross Over Road Roxbury, Maine. Sounds like a wonderful event to attend and remember, just for a moment, those brave veterans and their service to our country.

The Andover Summer Concert Series continues this week with the Cobblestones performing this Friday evening August 7th at 6 pm on the Andover Common. These folks are always a crowd pleaser. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket or even a picnic and enjoy some music in the most beautiful location.

A reminder that the Town Office will be closed on August 10, due to elections at the Town Hall from 2 – 6 p.m. that day. The election is for the empty selectman’s seat.

Try and stay cool in the warm weather that is upon us and send any news or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com

PS I was fortunate enough to meet another Western Maine Neighborhood News columnist Wally Ritz at AOHD. She was there with my friend Tracy’s mom Debbie. So nice to have seen you in person Wally!

I was finally able to attend one of the Summer Concert Series. This one featured Pete Coolidge accompani…

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Concerts start at 6 pm, so gather up your chairs, bring along the family and come on up for an evening of entertainment. All concerts are free but donations are gladly accepted. Arrive even earlier and savor a nice meal at Mills Market or a delectable ice cream at Kate’s Kones.

Andover Olde Home Days is almost upon us. It is always such a fun day with lots to do. The Andover Service Circle needs some help this year for AOHD August 1st. They are looking for volunteers to help staff tables and to help with the 50/50 raffle ticket table and the ticket auction table. This is a great opportunity for high school students looking to earn community service hours while giving back to the community. Even if you can only help for part of the day, it would be greatly appreciated. Interested? Send their page a message on Facebook or contact group president, Andrea, at 207-392-1020.

The last meeting for the AOHD Committee will be at the Town Hall Monday, July 27, at 6 pm. Anyone can attend and I’m sure they would welcome any extra hands that would like to volunteer for the big day.

A reminder that the Photography Contest drop-off times are next Wednesday the 29th from 12-3, Thursday the 30th from 3-6, and Friday the 31st from 10-12. Photos can be dropped off downstairs at the Andover Town Hall. Thanks Chad!

The Andover Snow Valley Sno-goers has a great opportunity for one lucky person to experience a weekend at one of the Lone Mountain Campground’s A-frame cabins. The campground generously donated this to help support the snowmobile club. This is yet another reason why I love my little town, everyone pitches in to help one another. Tickets are $10 and the drawing will take place in September. Please visit the club’s booth this AOHD to purchase your ticket. All proceeds benefit the Andover Snow Valley Sno-goers. I’ll certainly be buying mine...those cabins are gorgeous!

This Saturday the campground will be having a visit from Dave’s Backyard BBQ from 2-7. They will also be at AOHD Friday night, July 31st, from 3-9 and all day Saturday August 1st. The menu looks amazing.

Reminder that there will be a special election to be held on August 10th from 2-6 pm at the Andover Town Hall to fill the empty selectman’s seat. Please come out and vote in this important election. Our town government is very vital for our town; the effort and time that is put in by our selectboard and town officials should not be overlooked.

If you are looking for some delicious Maine blueberries, you are in luck! Burke Hill Farms from Cherryfield, Maine will be delivering in our area on Wednesday, July 29. They will be at the Gem Theater parking lot in Bethel at 2:30 and at the Tractor Supply parking lot in Rumford at 3:05. They are organic wild Maine blueberries sold in 5 pound boxes, individually flash frozen so they are ready to scoop out in any amount needed. There will be no deliveries in August so get on the list now. I have purchased these multiple times and they are fabulous! Please visit their website for all info and to order.

https://www.burkehillfarm.com

I was recently lucky enough to capture a bobcat on my trail camera, such a beautiful cat not often seen.

There have also been quite a few deer passing through as well as a coyote, a waddling porcupine and a turkey or two. I really love to see what passes through and share those pictures with my dad. I know he would rather the deer take part in munching in the back field instead of his garden. The green beans and beet greens seem to be favorites. I always tell him it is so nice of him to plant the deer a salad bar buffet, haha.

Please send any news or events my way. If anyone wants any AOHD information or news added for next weeks column please get it to me as soon an you possibly can and I will certainly include it.

diananadeau@ymail.com

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Well, the heatwave has broken, thank goodness. The combination of the heat and humidity really takes a toll. I feel for the folks that have to work outside in those conditions. I passed one of the hot days by going to see the Minion movie (I love those little yellow guys!) and having lunch with my friend Tammy.

My poor dog, Bocephus, doesn’t understand why he can’t play ball hour after hour outside. I tried to get out early with him to play, but a few days it was already in the 70s and humid.

I usually spend hot days on the river behind my house; most summers there is a nice beach there. Well, this year there was a little erosion of the river bank and quite a steep bank has appeared. I’ll have to take the time to find another way in.

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July. We grilled ribs and had pasta and potato salad along with chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting for dessert for a belated birthday for the hubs. We were 8 people in all and it was nice to eat good food and enjoy great company.

It seems like all the festivities held for the holiday were well attended all around.

Now here is some wonderful news about two of our amazing Andover citizens:

Couple Receives LakeSmart Award

Ross and Christine Swain of East Andover recently earned the LakeSmart Award for landscaping their Roxbury Pond property in a way to do their share to protect the water quality of the pond.

To quote a sound bite from a video by the non-profit organization Maine Lakes, “LakeSmart is a program to work with homeowners. It’s no cost, non regulatory, and completely voluntary, and we work with homeowners to reduce stormwater runoff off their property in the hopes of reducing the amount of phosphorus that enters Maine lakes.”

Phosphorus is found naturally in runoff and erosion and is a major contributor to increasing the risk of algae blooms. Ross and Christine are both longtime members of the non-profit organization Lake Stewards of Maine. According to their website, “Lake Stewards of Maine (LSM) works to protect Maine lakes and to promote lake stewardship through widespread citizen participation in the gathering and dissemination of credible scientific information pertaining to lake health.”

When asked for a comment, Ross said, “Let me write something out for you.” Here it is:

“The recognition from Maine Lakes of our attempts at lake friendly landscaping is appreciated. My hope is that by sharing our news, more campowners will become interested in the LakeSmart program. If anyone wants to see the LakeSmart report on our property, I’m willing to share it to help people understand what this exceptional opportunity provides at no cost. It’s voluntary, free, non-regulatory, educational, and details are not shared without your permission. What’s not to like?”

Congratulations, Ross and Christine! For more info on LakeSmart, go to https://www.lakes.me/lakesmart

Here is the latest schedule of AOHD. Hard to believe that it will be here in a few weeks!

2026 Andover Olde Home Days Schedule-July 31 & August 1

Friday, July 31

3-9PM: Food Trucks, Town Common

4:30-6:30PM: Live Music with Brad Hooper, Town Common

5-6PM: Pie Eating Contest Registration, Town Common

6:30-7PM: Pie Eating Contest, Town Common

7-9PM: Live Music with James Rice, Town Common

Saturday, August 1

7:30AM-4PM: Public Parking, Grimaldi Field

7:30AM-4:30PM: Complimentary Shuttle Services to Town Common, Grimaldi Field

7-7:45AM: Road Race Registration, Andover Elementary School

8AM: Road Race Begins, Andover Elementary School

8AM: Cookie Walk, Andover Congregational Church

8AM: Registration for Mountain Misfits Highland Games, Grimaldi Field

9AM: Backseat Sulky Driver Contest Registration, Tennis Court

9AM: Parade Lineup Starts, Whites Field

9:30AM: Parade Judging, Whites Field

9AM: Highland Games, Grimaldi Field

9AM: Antique, Classic and Hot Rod Cruise-In, Akers Field

9AM-12PM: Photograph Contest and Exhibition, Andover Town Hall

9AM-3PM: Flower Show, Andover Historical Society

10AM: Parade Starts, Whites Field

11AM-1PM: Children’s Games and Activities, Ball Field

11AM-1PM: Backseat Sulky Driver Contest, Tennis Court

11AM-3PM: Art Show, Andover Historical Society

11AM-4PM: Wooden Foundry Patterns Display, Library Community Room

11AM: Fly Casting Contest, Morse Field

11AM: Antique Tractor Pull, Grimaldi Field

11:30AM: Chicken BBQ, Fire Station

11AM: Women’s Skillet Toss Registration, Field Next to Mills Market

11:30AM: Women’s Skillet Toss, Field Next to Mills Market

11AM-4PM: Book Sale and Basket Raffle, Andover Public Library

12-3PM: Cornhole Tournament, Field Next to Mills Market

1PM: First Button Drawing, Gazebo on the Town Common

1-2PM: Sing-Along, Andover Congregational Church

2PM: Andover Service Circle Raffle, Town Common

2:30PM: Second Button Drawing | Grand Prize, Gazebo on the Town Common

3PM: Ellis River Riders Gymkhana Show, Airport Road

3:30PM: 50/50 Drawing with Service Circle, Town Common

4PM: Mowta Speedway Lawnmower Races, Grimaldi Field

6:30-9:30PM: Town Dance, Lone Mountain Campground

Now here is some news about the upcoming concert from the Andover Summer Concert Series:

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! Friday, July 10th from 6 to 8 pm we’ll welcome back to the stage at the Andover Congregational Church...BARNEY MARTIN! Barney has entertained us for the past few years and NEVER fails to get everyone singing along! What a great show he puts on, well... you put on...’cause he’ll get you to do half the work...and it is AWESOME! If you haven’t been yet to Barney’s show...you gotta come out on Friday, July 10, to the Andover Congregational Church, adjacent to the Intersection of Rt 5 and Rt 120 in sunny Andover, Maine! Concert starts at 6 pm. I’m hoping Bob will feel up to going so we can attend. I have seen Barney perform in the past and he does indeed put on a great show.

Please send any new or events to diananadeau@ymail.com

Being that the June 9 local election did not result in the third Selectboard seat being filled, as no nomination papers were taken out by prospective candidates and the write-in with the most votes is unable to serve at this time, the Selectboard voted …

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I hope all the wonderful dads had a great Father’s Day. Bob and I hosted my dad, our sons Brandon and Hunter, and also Hunter’s girlfriend Amanda. Burgers on the grill and homemade French fries were on the menu along with cobbler from The Southern Spoon in Bryant Pond—please check out her Facebook page. Everything is delicious and beautifully made! I purchased a strawberry rhubarb and mixed berry cobblers. They were a perfect way to top off the meal.

The 2026 moose lottery was held last weekend and alas my name wasn’t drawn. I did see a few familiar names on the list however. Good luck and safe hunting to all that were drawn.

I was very lucky to see a doe and her skipper on my trail camera a couple of weeks ago. There have been a few small bucks and a coyote also.

There are some wonderful happenings in town for our young residents and visitors alike. The Andover Volunteer Fire Department along with Jim Adler and the J.L. Adler Carpentry crew have pooled funds and donated time to build an awesome wooden playhouse in the village. It is a work in progress but, when finished, it will be a sight to behold. This is exactly why I love this town, amazing things like this happen here.

Another good thing is once again our Main Street, and other spots around town, are festooned with the American flags thanks to Per Tripp, the Andover Highway Department and other flag crew members. It looks picturesque.

Andover Olde Home Days seems like it will be here before you know it. Let me share a bit of info that I have so far:

Mark your calendars! Andover Olde Home Days kicks off Friday, July 31st, and there is plenty to look forward to right out of the gate. Friday evening on The Common runs 3–9 PM with food trucks, live music from Brad Hooper and James Rice, a local art show, and our first annual pie eating contest — open to all ages, with registration on the a common from 5–6 PM. Raffle buttons and Olde Home Days t-shirts will also be available for purchase on site.

In case you missed it, this year’s grand raffle prize was proudly donated by Clean Cut Painting, which includes two contractors for 10 hours each, plus up to $500 in materials, all put toward a project of your choosing. That’s a real, hands-on value worth $2,500.

Raffle buttons are available now at Mills’ Market, Pete’s Hardware, and Aroma Joe’s in Bethel, with drawings held at 1PM and 2:30PM on August 1 at the Gazebo.

And that’s just Friday. Saturday, August 1, brings another full day of community and fun! The full schedule is coming soon! Thanks go out to Claire for emailing me the info on the 73rd Annual Flower Show being held on Saturday August 1, 2026 at the Andover Historical Society Building. Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America. Categories

1. Statue of Liberty - Single Specimen, bottles provided by AHS.

2. Broad Stripes Bright Stars - Arrangement in red, white or blue container.

3. Purple Mountains Majesty - Arrangement using wooden container.

4. Amber Waves of Grain - Wildflowers, herbs, grasses.

5. National Parks - Ages 8 – under.

6. Happy Birthday America - Arrangement and container of your choice

Mountain greenery and accessories permitted. Please no artificial flowers. AHS will exercise all care, but cannot be responsible for loss or breakage. Entries need to be received between 5:30 and 7:30 PM Friday, July 31. Judging to follow.

First Place (Blue), Second Place (Red), Third Place (Yellow), Honorable Mention (White), Judge’s Award and Best in Show ribbons will be awarded.

Arrangements available for viewing all day Saturday. Please pick up arrangements Saturday between 3 and 3:30 PM (If possible, no earlier, no later.)

Just a reminder that the Town Office will be closed on Tuesday, June 30, for the Fiscal End of Year close-out.

The Town of Andover has a 1990 International 2554 single axle plow/dump truck, with 137,260 miles, for sale. The truck is being sold AS IS, WHERE IS using the bidding process. The truck sale includes the sander and wing plow but NO front plow. The Select Board has set a $5,000 minimum bid. Any questions about the unit can be directed to Per Tripp, Road Commissioner, at arc@andovermaine.gov or by calling the highway cell phone: 207-392-5063. Please submit bids to selectboard@andovermaine.gov

The Andover Food Pantry is open on Tuesdays and has just changed its hours to 8-10 am. They will be closed this coming Tuesday the 30th for the upcoming 4th of July holiday. This is such a wonderful resource for Andover and the surrounding towns of Upton, Byron, Roxbury and Hanover. Quite a bit of hard work is put in by the many volunteers. They are always looking for extra hands. Please stop by during open hours on a Tuesday if you have any questions about volunteering.

If you have any news or events to share please send them my way diananadeau@ymail.com

My friend Missy was camping at Lone Mountain Campground right up the street from me last week and I was able to go and have a nice afternoon visit sitting in her gorgeous camper enjoying the tranquil day. It was nice to catch up.

Then this past weekend my dear friend Tammy inv…

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The fifth grade class at Andover Elementary School had their graduation ceremony on June 8th. Best of luck to them all toward their middle school journey.

The Andover Elementary School also had its last student day today (6/9). A perfectly hot day for school to have an early dismissal. Please stay extra vigilant these next few months as the kids will be out and about enjoying their summer break. SAD #44 will be released early this Friday the 12th for their summer vacation. I hope that all my school staff friends savor these beautiful summer months and take time to recuperate!

There are 3 dates in July that AES will be offering some playdates with some fun activities: School may be over for the year but AES is still a family. Come join us for Play Dates this summer! We will be making crafts, gardening, playing in the sprinkler, and baking. All products will be for sale at the AES table at Olde Home Days. All funds raised will support the Homestead Project and the AES After School Program. We welcome all children ages 4 - 12 whether they come to our school or not. Come and be part of the fun! Please register at this link: [https://forms.gle/GMaVTV8BzVGeUrf48](https://forms.gle/GMaVTV8BzVGeUrf48) What a great way to spend a day or two, or three this summer, even for young visitors to our area.

The Lone Mountain Campground is ready for a busy summer season. A-frame cabins #3 and #4 are under construction. They will be ready for rental by Memorial Day of 2027. The campground is holding a T-shirt design contest for America’s 250th Birthday. Deadline is tomorrow June 12th...sorry for the late info! Please see the attached picture for all the details.

The second annual craft fair will be taking place on June 20th with over 20 vendors scheduled along with a food and beverage truck in attendance. Their gorgeous pool is now open and they once again will be offering public swims Monday-Thursday for $10 per person. Please contact the campground for any questions about these upcoming events: (207) 392-0019.

It seems that August is far away, however, the Andover Olde Home Days buttons are now available! You can pick yours up at Mills Market, Pete’s Hardware, and Aroma Joe’s in Bethel, with more locations coming soon. Buttons are just $1 each.

The AOHD committee is thrilled to announce this year’s grand prize, proudly donated by Clean Cut Painting. This is a truly exceptional gift: two professional painters for ten hours of labor each, plus up to $500 in materials covered. Whether you’ve been putting off a room refresh, or you have some trim that needs attention, or a bigger project in mind, this prize puts real skilled hands to work for you. All told, it’s a $2,500 value, and the committee is so very grateful for Clean Cut Painting’s generosity and support of our community. More prizes will be announced soon.

Raffles will be held at 1 PM and 2:30 PM on August 1st at the gazebo. If your number is called, you’ll need to present your winning button in person to claim your prize. These buttons usually get snapped up quite quickly so get yours soon.

I truly love attending the annual AOHD each year. Such a day of community, events, food and fun to take in. You always run into people that you don’t always get a chance to see. The committee works very hard for months to make this day amazing for everyone. Andover is a very special place and I just love that this is my hometown and that I get to reside here, the place where my heart has always called home.

The AOHD Amateur Photography Contest will be taking place again in 2026 thanks to Chad Bishop and crew. It will be held August 1st from 9 AM-1 PM downstairs at the Andover Town Hall. The six categories will be: portrait, landscape, black & white, flowers, birds/animals and the theme of this year’s AOHD, “A River Valley Playground.” There will be two age groups, adult and children, for each category. Limit of three entries per person per category. You cannot use the same photo for multiple categories. You must include your name, age group and category on each entry. Drop-off times are Wednesday, July 29^th, 12-3 PM, Thursday, July 30^th, 3-6 PM and Friday, July 31^st, 10 AM-2 PM...this day is the deadline as judging will take place. No professionals please!

I guess I need to go through some of my Ireland pictures to see if any are worthy of entering. I always try to submit some of my photos each year. I love looking at all the pictures that are submitted; there are really some talented amateur photographers out there. Please take a look through your photographs as well and c’mon up and enter them! Thanks again to Chad for keeping this going. If you have any questions please reach out to him at chadjosephbishop@gmail.com

Keep an eye out for Andover’s own Kate’s Kones to open for the season very soon. Nothing is more refreshing on a warm summer day than a freshly scooped ice cream. Please check the Facebook page Kate’s Kones for updates. Ice cream for supper? Why not!

This Friday, June 12^th, the Andover Summer Concert Series continues with the band “Drunk in Public.” It runs from 6-8 PM on the town common, rain or shine. All concerts are free with donations gladly accepted. I regretfully have other plans this weekend or I would be there in my lawn chair listening to the music. Big thanks to Pete Coolidge and his cohorts for bringing us another season of wonderful concerts.

The Andover Public Library, 46 Church Street, will be holding a few events this Saturday, June 13th. From 10 AM-1 PM will be the annual plant sale. There will be seedlings, flowers, perennials and house plants available. There will also be a tag sale taking place during those same hours. The final event of the day will be held from 2-4 PM, an Author Talk with local author Karen Swasey.

I decided to plant a “patio garden” this year. Just one Roma tomato plant and one pickling cucumber plant. They both are in plant pots on the back deck with tomato cages in place; hopefully this will deter my pets from letting their curiosity get the best of them.

My son Brandon gifted me two blueberry bushes for Mother’s Day this year. I’m hoping they will continue to grow and provide some delicious blueberries. I received a rhubarb plant from a neighbor last year and that is doing very well this year. Growing up we had two very large rhubarb patches at home. I remember my sister and I putting some sugar in a Dixie cup and each of us getting a piece of rhubarb to snack on. A dip in the sugar then a bite, a dip in the sugar and a bite and so on. Ahhh, the simple times of childhood. I hope you all have a very good week and as always, please send me any new or events.

diananadeau@ymail.com

The annual Alumni Banquet was recently held to celebrate our 2026 graduates. Karen Thurston was nice enough to share the following information of presented scholarships: Seniors in attendance were Dani Luce and Josie Robinson. There is a third senior, Hannah Bailey. Andover Educational Fund Fox Scholarship-Josie Robinson, Thurston Scholarship-Dani Luce, Sweatt Scholarship-Dani Luce, Andover Service Circle-Josie Robinson & Dani Luce .Walter Fox Book Award grade 6- Emma Andexler, grade 7- Thomas Gammon, grade 8- Adalyn Swasey, grade 9- Wesley Costa, grade 10- no nominees this year, grade 11- Hannah Stetson, grade 12- Hannah Bailey. Oh and… Allyson Hodson Memorial (for a junior who excels in literature) Sophia Percival, Michael Marston (to a senior who excels in Region 9 studies and is continuing their education) Dani Luce.

This past weekend was the Moon Dance Farm goat cuddling event. I usually lend a hand as a “goat ambassador” but I was unable to attend this year.

Nothing says spring like those cute little kids making their appearance in the world. And the goodies made from the milk are delicious! Cheeses, yogurt and cajeta (caramel sauce) which is the best on ice cream or for dipping fresh crispy apples in.

The Gammon Bison Farm welcomed baby #13 today... a baker’s dozen!

Some dates to mark on your calendars are:

Wednesday, June 10^th: Darlene Akers at the Dragonfly Healing Nest, 51 Akers Way, will be having an Open Nest Evening from 5-7 pm. Plant Swap and Teaching Garden Tour at 6 pm. Bring your extra seedlings, winter sowing extras, and/or perennials to share and go home with plants you would like in exchange. There will be plants flagged in the Teaching Garden that can be dug. Pots and tools to use will be available. There will also be a few select medicinal plants for sale. The Nest retail and in-house library will be open. Please note: The retail checkout will be closed during plant swap and teaching garden tour at 6pm, but will reopen shortly after.

Saturday, June 13^th: the annual plant sale will be taking place at the Andover Public Library. This will be held from 10-1 pm. After that there will be an Author Talk with Karen Swasey at the library from 2-4 pm.

I paid another visit to the library today to return “Project Hail Mary,” which I liked very much. Librarian Janet Farrington reserved “Remarkably Bright Creatures” for me and I was able to bring that home. Here’s hoping the firewood chores don’t interfere with some reading time. It was great to see young Miss Hannah Thacker helping out behind the library desk.

Another event in Andover will take place on June 20th from 9 am-2 pm at the Lone Mountain Campground will be holding their 2nd annual craft & vendor market. The first year had over 20 vendors and there will certainly be more this year. They also will have a food truck along with coffee & lemonade. If you are interested in a vendor spot, please email the campground at info@lonemountaincamping.com. I attended last year and the variety of crafters and vendors was wonderful. Lone Mountain Campground is growing by leaps and bounds; please take a ride up and see all they have to offer.

Here is a fun treasure hunt put on by our neighbors, The Ellis Pond Sidekicks: The Ellis Pond Sidekicks July magnet hunts are a month away. The hunts are open to the public and some of the magnets will be hidden in Andover. There are two hunts. One is for anyone and one is for kids 12 and under. To see the clues, you’ll need to be on Ellis Pond Sidekicks Facebook page. If you click to join, remember to answer three simple questions and agree to the rules or the FB bots will ignore the request. This sounds like a great activity for families to take part in once July arrives. I have fond memories of swimming at “The Pond” as a kid growing up in Andover.

On Saturday, June 13^th, the Ellis River Riders will be holding an open show at their grounds, 76 Airport Road, starting at 9 am, then on Sunday the 14th there will be a gymkhana show starting at 9 am. So many things to do and see in Andover this month! Please come on up and join in on one or all events!

Please send me any news or events diananadeau@ymail.com.