April is being a big tease—giving us a taste of the weather we crave, then slapping us with the showers and cooler temps. My daffodils and tulips are up, but I haven’t had much opportunity to start uncovering all the little blooms that will appear.

I’m currently under the weather with a nasty cold.…

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Here is info on a special event coming up soon:

Award-Winning Maine Author, Rivera Sun, To Visit
Deering Community Center in South Paris on May 9, 2026

Paris Public Library in South Paris and Whitman Memorial Library in Bryant Pond are pleased to co-sponsor a community presentation by Rivera Sun, well-known author of the Ari Ara series.

The event, funded by a private donation, will happen on May 9^th at 1 PM at the Deering Community Center in South Paris (across the street from The Square restaurant and next to the Paris Public Library - in the former Methodist Church). There is no cost to attend and members of surrounding communities are welcome.

Rivera Sun’s books blend action and adventure with the skills of conflict resolution, anti-bullying, and ending violence. They are enjoyed by readers of all ages – from young students to older adults - and will claim a spot on your bookshelf and a place in your heart. Program attendees will have the chance to win a complete set of the popular Ari Ara series signed by the author.

For more information, please contact the Paris Public Library (207-743-6994) or the Whitman Memorial Library (207-665-2505).

I had breakfast with Kathleen DeVore last Friday, our usual day to meet at The Hub. I’m so happy to have this spot close by. Kathleen and I have been meeting for breakfast every month for over a year now. It’s truly great to visit, and get caught up on what’s happening. We also got a look at artwork by Hunter Verrill, which is awesome.

On Saturday I went to hear Graham Platner at the Gem in Bethel. There was a large crowd and he was well received.

The Locke Mills Union Church hosted a Maundy Thursday service last week, followed by a pot luck meal. It was delicious, and there were only eight of us there! The next day was a Good Friday service, and then on Easter, a sunrise service followed by breakfast. Regular service was at 9:30. We are still meeting in the Sunday School room to save on heat.

West Paris news—

Coming right up-this Saturday, April 11, there will be a meet and greet for artist Shelly Shibles at the West Paris library at 3:00. Come and meet the artist and view her artwork. Refreshments will be served.

Jeff Holley is organizing a group of people to bring back Old Home Days in West Paris. This will be on Saturday, June 13. Volunteers are wanted and needed.

Upcoming services at the First Universalist Church of West Paris:

April 12—“The Story of the Road to Emmaus” led by Rev. Scott Campbell

April 19—Earth Day led by guest Marylin Tiemann

April 26—The Good Shepherd

The Smile Fund Sale, which provides dentures for adults in the SAD 44 region, is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11 AM at the West Parish Congregational Church. The church is looking for donations to benefit this community yard sale. Items can be dropped off at the church between Friday, April 17, and Thursday, April 23. Appropriate items include toys, books, housewares, tools, gardening supplies, and small furniture. Please NO electronics, clothing, jewelry or stuffed animals. For an application or more information about the sale, contact West Parish Congregational church at 824-2689.

On Easter Sunday, I hosted a group for a potluck lunch. Those who came were: Andy and Louise Frank, Dan Quigley, Lainey Cross, Deb Hays, Dave Matthews, Sarah and Colin, and yours truly. I made a lentil soup and focaccia. There was a wonderful selection of tasty dishes, and it was a relaxing and enjoyable time.

On my birthday, I went to Chris Cole’s for freshly made popovers. It was a really nice gathering, with Barb Russell, Lainey Cross, my sister Susan, Kathy Bennett, Chris and I. We sat for three hours, yapping away and eating two rounds of popovers! The rest of my day was very uneventful. More celebrating is planned for later this week.

I welcome your news/events: lstowell@roadrunner.com

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Coming up at the Locke Mills Union Church: there will be a Maundy Thursday service on April 2, at 4:00pm, followed by a potluck meal. On Friday, April 3, Sondra will conduct a Good Friday service, also at 4:00. On Easter Sunday, we will have a sunrise service, followed by breakfast, and then regular church at 9:30.

I hope everyone adjusted to the time change. It seems that every year it’s discussed on whether to change the clocks or not. It makes me think of the year I turned 50. My birthday was actually the same day as the time change that year (before the earlier date change in March). My mother and sister threw me a surprise party! I really was surprised, and was rather annoyed that no one made any plans to celebrate with me. Well, my friend Joey told me a good story that I believed, and next thing I knew….surprise! It was a really fun party, and just as we were sitting down to eat, Jayden and Ken Irons showed up! Apparently they didn’t get the memo for the time change, so showed up an hour later. We got a good laugh out of that.

Woodstock’s town meeting will be Monday, March 30, at 6:00 p.m. at the fire station.

Happy Spring! It arrived shortly after my return from a very warm place. It’s a difficult thing to switch climates like that. One moment you’re in the sun, 80’s, and warmth, then POW!

Our return flight last Thursday was pretty routine, except for a rather bumpy trip to Boston. It was a bonus to go through customs in Aruba, but, it took the longest time for luggage to show up! We had tickets for the 8:10 C & J bus to Portsmouth, though we hoped to maybe get on an earlier bus if possible. We did manage to score seats on a bus which was 15-20 minutes earlier, and that eventually got us home about midnight. We had no issues with TSA on either flight, which was a relief. I was glad I left my boots in the car.

One amazing thing about Aruba is its water supply. Tap water is exceptionally pure and safe, produced by advanced high-quality distillation. It’s unusual to visit an island and not worry about drinking the water!

On our last full day there, we went to the Aruba Aloe Factory, where there was a big sale. The store there was packed, and there were festivities outside—play area for children, a stage for music, and lots of food! We finally got to taste a pastechi, which is a hand pie, and filled with cheese, or different seasoned meat. Ours were with beef, and they were delicious! We also tried some Dutch pancakes—tiny ones, with many choices of toppings.

After that, we made our way to the downtown shopping area. We found a good jewelry store, where we were able to get some larimar earrings. Larimar is found exclusively in the Dominican Republic, but of course, sells well anywhere. We followed up with lunch at the Sexy Shrimp. Because it was their Anthem and Flag Day (like our 4th of July), there was a lot happening all over the island. The restaurants were not busy, so we enjoyed a last lunch out (chicken tenders for me, while everyone else got shrimp!!).

On St. Patrick’s Day, we were prepared with our “green” shirts. We went out that evening on the KuKu Kunuku bus. What a hoot that was! We were the first to be picked up. We climbed aboard an old school bus—no windows, brightly painted, and maracas stationed nearby so that everyone could participate. Music blasted as we drove on, stopping to pick up passengers.

We were given a cup with a rum punch (not our favorite), and made stops at three different bars. At each stop, we exited the bus and went in, where we could buy a drink if we wanted, or just hang out and dance. Dancing was the best part! We were the last to get off the bus, and it was close to midnight, I think. It was a fun evening, and the party atmosphere just increased as the night went on.

First Universalist Church of West Paris April Worship Services:

While ‘spring’ (astronomically speaking) officially arrived on March 20, April

brings the real signs of spring, which symbolize renewal, growth and hope. Our services for this month in many ways convey the transformative nature of spring. Please join us Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Music by Davy Sturtevant. Refreshments following the service. All are welcome.

April 5, Easter Sunday Service, led by Pastor Linda Couture and the worship service committee.

April 12, “The story of the Road to Emmaus” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. Here’s an excerpt: “Ordinary events that become sacred moments in the midst of our lives…That is what happens on the road to Emmaus. The choice to walk the road of faith together, brothers and sisters, in conversation with each other about the things that truly matter, to allow one another to enter into our stories and to willingly enter into another’s—keeps us alive and engaged throughout our days.”

April 19, Earth Day, led by guest Maryli Tiemann. “What do Maine’s own Senator Muskie, pink toilet paper, The Hobbit, and blade-less windmills have in common?” Our Earth Day service will include a reflection from Maryli Tiemann and music by Davy Sturtevant. Maryli will share recent innovations which promise cost effective solutions to our global energy needs, including a pocketful of small ideas we can use to create our own positive changes.

April 26, The Good Shepherd and whose voice deserves our allegiance. Here’s an excerpt: “Beloved, we hear a thousand voices calling for us to follow every day. Advertisers hawk their wares, image vendors would make us over into their desired likeness, culture tells us what success looks like, and politicians offer the promised land. Beware of all their claims. Make room in your quiet times to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd—the One to whom you are a sacred trust, the One who will lead you to places that will sustain you, the One who will protect you in the face of danger and the One whose heart is tender and merciful. This is the voice to listen for. Let all others fall on deaf ears.”

For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/

The First Universalist Church of West Paris is located at 208 Main St., W. Paris 04289

Have a great week, everyone! Send me your news: lstowell@roadrunner.com

I have had the opportunity to spend 8 days in paradise, with the best of friends. Kathy Hodsdon, Cindy McNinch, and I flew out last week from Boston. We arrived late afternoon in Aruba, and Lainey Cross was waiting for us! She drove us to Caribbean Palm Village, where we are staying until heading home on Thursday.

Lainey is an excell…

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A group of ladies from the library went on a road trip last week. It was decided at our last meeting that a group would travel to South Portland for the purpose of getting a new computer for the library (for public use),…

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Here is news from the First Universalist Church of West Paris:

Many of our worship services cover topics that are very relevant for our times. Not only do we experience spiritual guidance, but there is also much to ponder and apply to our individual lives. Please join us Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Music by Davy Sturtevant. Refreshments following the service. All are welcome.

March 1, “Listening,” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell who will explore what it means to truly pay attention to one another. Here is an excerpt:

“A basic premise underlies the business models on which social media networks are predicated. Tell people what they want to hear. Unfortunately, the corollary to that rule is also a part of the formula. Don’t tell them what they don’t want to hear. As a result, we are isolated from each other in virtually soundproof booths. One of the tragic results of this estrangement from one another is the corrosion of basic human decency.”

March 8, our speaker is Bob Neal. His topic is “The Mustard Seed and the Pullman Porters,” which is based on the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13) using the example of how the black middle class arose from the occupation of sleeping-car porter. It was the best job most black men could get, and the pay and tips were enough to create a middle class in a still-segregated country.

March 15, “Kindness,” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. What motivates people to care for each other? Here is an excerpt:

“In the eleventh grade I found myself in my first extended philosophical debate with a group of other students. Each day at lunch we would pick up the argument anew. The crux of the conversation centered around whether anyone ever did anything for any reason that was not basically selfish. Even the noblest action, they insisted, was motivated by the desire to be thought noble by others. All kindness was ego-driven.”

March 22, “Americans Who Tell the Truth: The Spirituality of Activism.” The service will be led by Ellen Gibson. Robert Shetterly, an artist from Brooksville, Maine, has spent the last twenty years working on a project that’s called “Americans Who Tell the Truth.” Shetterly believes that truth is at the foundation of a functioning democracy. To date, he has painted 280 portraits of Americans who exemplify moral courage and civic engagement, from Abraham Lincoln to Stacey Abrams, Margaret Chase Smith to Samantha Smith, Pete Seeger to Richard Blanco. A number of Mainers are subjects of his portraits. In this service, we will investigate how activism intersects with the seven UU principles. For more information on this project, go to

https://americanswhotellthetruth.org/

This service was rescheduled from January.

March 29, “A Noble Life” led by guest speaker, Marilyn Hammond. “Along with the traditional Luke account of Palm Sunday and a lighter look at the ancestry of Jesus, I want to change the focus from the death of Jesus to the life of Jesus, from the divinity of Jesus to his humanity.”

For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com.

To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit

http://www.uua.org/

The First Universalist Church of West Paris is located at 208 Main St., W. Paris 04289

Also happening at the church: there will be another Cabin Fever Fun Day on Wednesday, March 4, from 1:00-3:00 PM. Bring your own game or join in with others. There will be jigsaw puzzle, plus a couple of cribbage boards, along with refreshments and a good time socializing. If it’s a stormy day, we meet on March 5.

Several of us gathered at the home of the Adamses in Fayette on Saturday, to get together with the world travelers and hear their tales. Josh, age 18, recuperated quite quickly from jet lag. Tim, however, discovered it took him a bit longer to recover. Youth has its advantages! Josh did add that after skiing most of the days, he headed to bed early!

I had made plans to visit my friend Jane, on the farm, over the weekend. However, there was trauma and drama on the farm. I will summarize to the best of my ability.

Jane’s daughter Abby raises goats, and has a Great Pyrenees guardian dog who lives in the barn with the goats. The dog, Brynn, is about eight years old, and Abby had plans for her retirement, so got Casper, another guardian dog, who was a pup. Casper was a great dog, except he was an escape artist, and would be found down the road, exploring the neighborhood.

Well, apparently Casper and Brynn partied together, and the result was a pregnant Brynn. Casper got re-homed a while back, and last week, Abby discovered that Brynn was in labor! It didn’t go very well, and a couple of pups passed, after difficult deliveries. Knowing that Brynn was in distress, Abby searched high and low, and eventually found a vet who would do a C-section on the dog. The result was two healthy pups and mom. They came home that night and have taken up residence in the living room (too cold in the barn for the wee pups).

Abby was most concerned about Brynn’s condition, so thankfully, she is well and recovering, and being a good mom to her babies. There was a lot going on at the farm, so I will wait until I get the OK! It will be kidding season soon, so lots of action.

Today is the Class B Alpine Ski Championship at Black Mountain. Grandson Zack is racing for Maranacook.

The boys won the MVC Alpine Championship just before vacation. This will be it for the racing season.

I expect to have two more seasons of skiing while Zack is still in high school.

Now that the Olympics are over, maybe I can be more productive. I admit, I got sucked in—those skaters! And the hockey! And bobsled! Exciting stuff.

Another page on the calendar will be turned this weekend. March is arriving—as a lion or a lamb? From the poem “Chicken Soup With Rice”:

In March the wind blows down the door

And spills my soup upon the floor

It laps it up and roars for more

Blowing once, blowing twice, blowing chicken soup with rice

A great poem (Maurice Sendak) and song (Carole King) about eating chicken soup with rice every month of the year!

I was very sorry to learn of Stan Howe’s passing. I knew Stan because he was a classmate of my sister’s. They graduated together from Gould, then Gorham State Teacher’s College, then at UMO (master’s degree), and Stan went on from there. He will be remembered for his contributions to the Bethel Historical Society. My condolences to all his family and friends.

I thank those of you who send news! Please share news and events: lstowell@roadrunner.com

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I love reading these words about my mother, written so many years ago, And yes, my mother’s name was Barbara. Next Tuesday would be her birthday.

I’ve been watching a steady dose of the Olympics. I so admire the dedication and determination of the athletes. There was a brief pause on the Olympics due to the Super Bowl, which I find no need to discuss.

On Monday, Susan, Dave, and I went to Conway, NH, to surprise brother Michael at Casamigo’s at lunch. He and Penny, their children, Brian and Brenda, and a friend, Lori, met us at the restaurant. Mike was very surprised (thanks to Brenda), and it was a great meal and time to celebrate his birthday, which is the 10th.

I am very happy to report that my son-in-law Tim and my grandson Josh are right now in Japan, on the big ski trip. They left very early Saturday from Portland, on to Newark, and then the 14-hour flight to Tokyo. That’s when they encountered a problem. The weather caused their next flight to be canceled. Rachel had dealt with many of the issues from home, so she got them a flight out, and arranged transport to the ski resort. It was quite a task, but they made it. Of course, they had arrangements made, but due to the cancelled flight, it was like they were back at square 1. But, they had a van waiting for them when they got off their flight. Phew. I think Josh must be having the time of his life, skiing in deep powder, and eating sushi! They have a guide for a couple of days to show them around the ski area (Niseka) and take Josh to the wooded trails in powder. The guide has been great at taking photos and videos, which then get shared to a group photo album on our phones. They return home on the 16th, if the weather allows!

I do have the dates for the Lenten luncheons, which will be on Wednesdays, from noon to 1:00 this year. The dates are February 25, March 4, and March 11. This simple meal of soup and bread is an opportunity for people of different faiths to gather and reflect together on the journey to Easter. The meal is free. Each church is invited to bring the food for the three Lenten luncheons.

The West Parish Congregational church is sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Feb. 13, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. There is a critical shortage of blood right now. Your pint of blood or platelets can save someone’s life.

Send me any news or events: lstowell@roadrunner.com

I was on my way to West Paris Monday, heading to my sister’s. Right after turning at Trap Corner, I spotted an eagle in a tree. I pulled over the best that I could, found my phone, and managed to get a couple of shots throug…

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Following the service, there was a bounteous buffet. After all, Owen’s favorite pastime was eating! Everything was delicious, and we are certain that Owen approved. Finger rolls, fruit, sweets, chips, chili, and mac ’n cheese were all plentiful.

It was a wonderful tribute. One notable thing was when Anna Sysko of The Gemini Cafe delivered a huge box of pastries before the service. Our friends, Amy Newman and Brent Noorda, of Florida, ordered “one of everything” to be delivered to the church in honor of Owen and his love to eat. We met Amy and Brent on a Carribbean cruise a few years back. We ended up going on a second cruise with them, and had a wonderful time. They had dinner with us several times and we established a real friendship. We have had a couple of visits from them here too! It was a very thoughtful and much appreciated gesture.

There was no church last Sunday. The decision to call it off was due to the extreme cold. Many of our members don’t enjoy going out in inclement weather, or the cold. It looks like there may possibly be more snow next Sunday, though it’s pretty early to be sure. Coming up is the Four Chaplains Sunday.

I recall the winter of ’69, and the incredible amount of snow we had. It was Telstar’s first year of operation, and the school year got off to a later start, due to the school not being quite finished. Then we had so many snow days! I really couldn’t see out the kitchen window because the snow was so high! That winter was very challenging. I don’t recall if or how many days we had to make up.

That also brings to mind a plan that my best high school friend, Cindy Russo, cooked up. The fashion of the late sixties was mini-skirts. That’s all well and good, but waiting for a bus in mid-winter with bare legs exposed was not so fun. One day, we wore pants to school (corduroys) and proceeded as usual. We were called down to the principal’s office, where we were questioned about our defiance of the school dress code. We explained, ever so politely, that it was most impractical to wear short skirts in cold weather. Our reasoning was heard, and it wasn’t long after that the dress code was changed so that girls could wear long pants to school! We remain very proud of our “resistance,” which paved the way for others.

The First Universalist Church of West Paris will be hosting a Cabin Fever Fun day on Wednesday, February 4, from 1:00-3:00. There will be a puzzle to work on, cribbage boards and cards, or bring your own game or craft. Join us for a social afternoon. Refreshments will be served. Snow date is February 5, same time and place. You can also mark your calendars for March 4, when another Cabin Fever Fun day is scheduled.

Please let me know of any events of news: lstowell@roadrunner.com

I am very sad to report the passing of Owen Melville on Monday evening, January 19. Owen was on hospice for over a year and a half, defying all odds. Owen came into our family during Covid, when he and Susan decided to “shelter in place” together at Susan’s. Susan and Owen were classmates at Gould Academy, and Owen grew up right beside our grandparents’ house in Locke Mills. He led a full and interesting life, serving in the Marines and in the Peace Corps, as well as hosting his own local tv show! He loved to eat, and wasn’t at all bashful about it. Many a package from QVC came his way, satisfying his love for kitchen gadgets. Owen was a great guy and we will miss him terribly. A funeral service is scheduled for this coming Saturday, January 24, at 11:00 a.m. at the Locke Mills Union Church.

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When I was young I learned to play “Pounce”, which was a favorite. Each player has their own deck of cards. The object is to get rid of the pounce pile (13 cards) before the other players. I guess it’s a bit like playing individual solitaire, all the while playing as many cards as possible in the middle, as each suit is built. When someone plays the last card in their pile, they call out “Pounce” and all playing stops, though there may be a frantic effort to get a last card into the middle. I have played in a group of 6, and let me tell you—it gets pretty wild! Now and then someone yells to stop so we can regain some order! When the Hathaway women went on a Mediterranean cruise a few years ago, we each brought a deck of cards, specifically for playing this game.

That makes me think of other games I played when I was much younger. I never had the patience for Monopoly. I had the game Clue, and that was a fun one. I remember one called Lie Detector, and some mechanism lit up to give a true or false reading. Then there was Uncle Wiggly! This was a leftover from a previous generation, I think. Other toys I enjoyed were the Spirograph, Colorforms, Silly Putty, and Slinky. I’ll have to take a trip into the attic and see what games I find.

When I was probably about 11 or 12, I had a fabulous birthday gift one year. My parents gave me two marionettes—Hansel and Gretel—straight from Sears. I was fascinated with the way they moved by the pull of a string. The most amazing thing though, was that Bob McKeen, Sr. made me a puppet theater, so Hansel and Gretel could have a stage. It was complete with pull curtains and footlights. Fold out sides and top sections hid the puppet masters from view. This provided hours of fun for me and my friends. I have fond memories of my cousin Pam Hays being my puppet partner. She and her family were here in the summers to visit her mother’s brother, Gil Whitman. Pam and I were close in age and hung out.

Pam and sisters, Sandy and Deb, were all here. Deb is the one who returned to her family land and is here today. I’m happy to have reconnected with her through our work at the Whitman Library.

Dave and I got to the movies this week to see the Avatar movie. It was good, but in my opinion, way too long at 3 hours, and 17 minutes!

I know the flu and all kinds of crud are going around, so stay healthy.

Let me know of anything happening out there!! lstowell@roadrunner.com

The weather has been interesting. I’ve kept the wood stove burning through the winter so far. Although, I certainly recall over 40 years ago, when the girls were young, having days of twenty below. It was so cold that we had frozen pipes and a frozen pump. It …

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Friday was spent getting my house prepared for our Christmas …

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I’m amazed every year how quickly Christmas comes upon us, especially once we reach November. I did the majority of my shopping on line this year, mainly because I would have to travel far to find items that I can easily buy online. It saves me money and time. I enjoy doing some shopping in person, especially locally.

Marie Bartlett says a great big thank you to all the cookie bakers who made this year’s cookie walk a success. They were sold out of cookies in just 2 1/2 hours, and the Legion took in a profit of just over $300. Well done!

My family Christmas is scheduled for next Sunday, the 28th. It’s not easy scheduling a date and time which is good for everyone. Now that we have more working folks, it limits us a bit more. However, Sunday is the one day of the week that my sister and I do work! Everyone is coming to my house, so I won’t have to cart a bunch of stuff around. Wrapping is really not my thing. Now I certainly appreciate a fine wrapping job. It almost seems a shame to open some packages. I prefer tissue paper and gift bags. I also I hate to write on the bag or its label (I use and reuse numerous times), so sometimes it’s a bit tricky sticking a tag on the tissue paper inside the bag.

The warmer weather, wind, and rain last week took a lot of the snow away. I’m still able to get to the woodpile outside. The best thing was it took all the ice off my roof. Two big crashes and that was it. The shrubbery in front of the house really takes a hit with snow and ice, but the rhododendrons are very tough. A very old bridal wreath bush struggles to survive. It manages to bloom, and is a lovely contrast between the rhodies and the lilacs.

Looks like we will be having a white Christmas. I have no plans for going out that day, so I will look at the snow from inside!

Thanks for reading, and please send any news/events to me at: lstowell@roadrunner.com

On the same day as the concert/raffle, there was a lunch served at the town office for employees, and others who serve in various capacities. This has been happening for a few years, and is a very nice and appreciated gesture.

The Locke Mills Union Church will be holding a Christmas Eve service on the 24th at 4:00 P.M. The early hour ensures that everyone will be able to get home in a timely manner. Church meets in the Sunday School room now until warmer weather.

I’ve had a pair of cardinals visiting almost daily at the feeder. Just seeing the bright red color is a happy sight. The birds have sure been ravenous. I have two feeders that I fill every couple of days, and the chickadees will let me know if it’s getting low!

There is so much going on this time of year. Every weekend is packed full of activities and events to attend. I’m sorry to have missed the Mollyockett chorus on Saturday. I was very disappointed that there was no holiday concert at the high school. It’s a wonderful time of year to get out and hear the music of the season.

I’ve made several batches of Chex party mix. I don’t bake cookies, or make fudge, but I DO make a lot of party mix! I just sent a big bag out to my friend Lori Voornas——that’s when I tell her “the Chex in the mail” ! I do have my regulars I like to keep supplied with the stuff, so the containers find their way back to me, in hopes of being refilled.

Here’s some news that was in the column that wasn’t:

Marta Clements is happy to announce that the 3,000 piece Harry Potter puzzle that the family had a few friends have been working on since August, 2024, is done, and glued! The puzzle belongs to Marta’s grandson and will be put in a frame by Doug Vogel and delivered to Kyle in time for Christmas. It was a challenge. If you are attending craft fairs in the area, look for Renee Pietla and Doug Vogel’s work. Renee makes beautiful stained glass items that are very reasonably priced. Doug has lots of woodwork items from spoons, charcuterie and cutting boards to wood turned bowls and more.

On December 21, there will be no morning service at the First Universalist Church of West Paris. There will be a candlelight service at 4:00 led by Pastor Linda Couture of the Mission Congregational Church. No collection will be taken, but we will accept donations in the form of money or nonperishable items for the West Paris Food Pantry.

Please, if you have any news or events you’d like to share, send it to: lstowell@roadrunner.com!

Merry Christmas, everyone!