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Saturday, we ventured to Lewiston for a birthday party at the trampoline park. All the kids had a great time and were able to burn off a bunch of energy which was nice. We’ve had birthday parties the last 3 weekends but I think we get a break next weekend.

I decided to host Easter Sunday lunch at our house. It consisted of ham, mashed potatoes, peas, squash, green beans, homemade rolls and pineapple upside down cake. I know my grandmother, dad, and mother-in-law are all smiling down on us getting together and sharing stories. We sure do miss all of them but they will never be forgotten.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee met on Monday and reviewed the Housing chapter and summary of the Economy chapter. Erica and Ethan from AVCOG are helping put together the chapters with feedback from the committee. They both bring so much excitement and really make the process easy.

A public hearing was held at the Town Office on Tuesday regarding changes to the Unified Development Review Ordinance that will be voted on at Town Meeting on May 12^th at the Grange Hall at 6pm. For more information, visit the town’s website newrymaine.org.

While this hearing and Select Board meeting were taking place, Beauty decided on this snowy day she would bring a bull into this world. That makes number 3. We’re waiting on one more and then a short break before the next bunch arrives.

That’s all for this week. Send me your news to be included next week to newrynews24@gmail.com.

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Baking consisted of an ice cream cake, requested for the birthday boy.

With the snow on Sunday, we decided to stay home and relax; although I really wanted to go to Maine Maple Sunday in Berlin, NH to Patry’s Sugarhouse. Maybe next year or it sounds like they may have some other events which might work out. I sure would like to try their maple butter on some freshly baked bread.

The next couple of weekends have more birthday parties on the books. It sure makes the weekend go quick when there is a plan. I guess I better make good use of my Fridays off. I still have yet to tackle that crazy closet as before it gets better it is definitely going to get worse as everything has to be removed. I have to be in the mood to take on a project like that or I will either keep everything or throw things out that I probably should keep. So for now, until the mood strikes, it will stay as is.

My hens have been enjoying the warmer days and laying steady and eggs just keep rolling in. Thankfully I have a bunch of neighbors who contact me and buy dozens at a time. It is nice to see them and visit. Sometimes we chat about baking or even getting our gardens started and what we plan to plant. Speaking of that, I better getting ordering my carrots and onions soon but I better add it to my to-do list as the days get busy and things get forgotten.

That’s it for this week as it’s time to do some laundry, go to work and then a meeting. Life sure is busy lately.

Send me your news to newrynews24@gmail.com and I’ll add your news to my column.

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I wish the warm weather would continue but I’m sure there will be colder temperatures and probably even some snow or rain. I can, however, see our firepit, which is a great sign. I even sat out on the porch swing. I will need to dig out the cushions soon.

Daylight saving time sure does take time to get used to. I enjoy it staying light later into the evening but I’m a morning person so I’m missing the daylight in the morning.

Cooking was limited this weekend with corn chowder, biscuits, and pumpkin pie. I’m so thankful to have put up so many great vegetables that I am still able to enjoy and feed my family with.

My hens are enjoying the warmer weather and I’m getting a dozen or more eggs per day. Reach out if you’d like to purchase some eggs.

The Town of Newry has posted its roads. For further information, check our website at newrymaine.org or feel free to give the code enforcement officer a call.

Boat stickers have arrived at the Town Office. Register early so you are ready when you want to go out.

The next Select Board meeting is Tuesday, March 17 at 3 o’clock.

Enjoy the little things. Take time to be with your people as life is short and I’ve been reminded of that lately. Do what makes you happy. Make a plan as it is nice to have something to look forward to.

Send me your news to: newrynews24@gmail.com

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Last year for Eliot’s birthday at our house we had a group of boys and I vowed not to do that again. They are great kids but lots of energy and a bit rough. Birthdays during the cold weather are tough. I was blessed to have a summer birthday and outdoor cookouts were a great option. Now I must come up with a more suitable birthday option for this year. There is bowling or possibly just a couple of friends taking in a movie.

I’m thankful to have Fridays off so I will be able to chaperone the fourth grade field trip to the Maine State House and Blaine House. I think fourth grade has been my favorite so far with some amazing field trips that I have been able to attend.

Baking was limited this past weekend and I only managed to make a banana bread and some no bake cookies.

Just a reminder that the Select Board meets on the first and third Tuesdays, currently the time is 3pm.

Nomination papers will be available starting Monday, March 2^nd for a 3-year term on the Select Board. Nomination papers are available now for a 2-year term on the School Board and the Planning Board is still looking for someone to fill an alternate position. Please contact the Town Office if you have any questions.

Send me your news to newrynews24@gmail.com and I’m happy to add it to my column.

I’m adding a beautiful picture of the blue sky, white snow and lovely barbed wire fence as a reminder that spring is right around the corner. These views never get old and I’m always stopping to capture another photo. I’m also thankful that we didn’t receive 32” of snow as some of my friends did in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

I have ventured out a couple more times on the snowshoes. It is amazing that it only takes a couple of thirty degree days to open up the river in spots. The sound of the river flowing was relaxing and I stood just listening and taking in the wonderful sights.

It may not be spring bu…

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I did make it out to snowshoe one afternoon during the week and one morning on the weekend. It sure was beautiful but my glasses getting foggy did make it challenging at times. At one point I just stopped and stood there closing my eyes taking in all the sounds of nature and the birds singing. Sometimes you just have to stop and enjoy the little things.

Filled cupcakes is still on the list of things to bake but it didn’t make the cut this week.

After searching the freezer three times I struggled to locate the pumpkin I had spent hours processing and putting up. I sure would love to have a walk-in freezer so I could organize things a bit better. Turns out a few packages of carrots had covered up my pumpkin but it was located and a pie was made.

Chocolate chip cookies are a big hit in this house, so I whipped up some of those as well as some cranberry orange muffins. Corn chowder with biscuits was a weekend lunch. I do enjoy winter as I can have the oven going and it warms the house up nicely.

Basketball at Crescent Park is coming to an end and it has been great. Kudos to Ms. Gould and Ms. Deiulio for coaching the 4^th and 5^th grade as they had lots of kids who participated. Also, thank you to the volunteers who helped referee the game, both middle and high school kids. It was fun to watch and I’m sure some of these kids are just beginning their basketball career and we’ll be watching them right up through high school.

The Newry Planning Board is still looking to fill a vacant seat for an alternate; if interested, please contact the Newry Town office or attend a meeting to see if it is something you may like to join. The next meeting is Wednesday, February 18 at 6pm. An agenda can be viewed on the town’s website: newrymaine.org.

Just a reminder that the Town Office will be closed on Monday for Presidents’ Day.

Please send me your news to contribute to my column: newrynews24@gmail.com.

Recently I read an article on creating a routine for better health. Although routines can sound boring, they can be empowering a…

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Friday, we had to make a quick trip to Mexico/Dixfield for an appointment and were a bit early so we stopped at Walmart for a few items. Eliot saw a whole aisle dedicated to pool supplies and wanted to know when we would open our pool. That was an interesting conversation as it will be May at least. Funny how they stock shelves so early for something so far away. This is an especially hard concept for a 9-year-old, although I always like to see the changing of stock to more spring/summer items.

The weekend brought extremely cold temperatures and the kitchen was kept warm with the stove on cooking up some corn chowder and biscuits one day and lasagna, bread and chocolate chip cookies the next day.

We did get several inches of snow and the Town Office opened at 10am to give staff time to clean up and get to the office. The Select Board will meet the first and third Tuesdays at 3pm until further notice. A calendar can be viewed on the town’s website: newrymaine.org.

Send me your news to be added to my column to newrynews24@gmail.com.

A new Mending/Repair Group is getting going in the Bethel area. Here is some info about it…

“We have recently come together as a Community Mending/Repair Group to share knowledge and other resources for fixing things that might otherwise go to waste. We recognize that the practice of repairing items is economical, and it increases accessibility. We gather monthly with our own work, we discuss ways to grow our ideas for this group. In these early stages, topics include establishing the most suitable place or places to meet, the time of day or night that’s likely to work for as many people as possible and the ongoing effort to engage with people of all ages and backgrounds. People like you! If you’d like more information on how to become involved, see the contacts below. Betsey Cooper, phone (207)381-0713 or email awoodenhouse100@gmail.com. Robin Nesbeda, phone (978)895-2320 or email RNesbead@gmail.com.

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Over the weekend we ventured to Augusta. The first stop was to an equipment dealer because boys love to look at toys and Eliot has his heart set on a snowmobile. Next was The Red Barn for some seafood to celebrate our anniversary. The food was excellent and was ready quickly.

Next up was Sam’s Club which was absolutely crazy on a Saturday afternoon but we did meet a lovely elderly woman and her son from Canaan. She needed a little assistance and I was happy to help. We talked about where we lived and I told her we just came from lunch to celebrate our anniversary. She said her husband had passed away in the spring but they had been married for 70 years. She also had a dairy farm at one time and her son raises beef cattle. Sometimes brief encounters with people are so memorable.

Sunday was another road trip but this time to the butcher to pick up meat. The freezer is full once again and we have meat for sale. My chickens are also still producing a dozen eggs a day, so we also have eggs for sale. My dream someday is to have a farmstand where people can stop and buy meat, eggs, and vegetables seasonally. This is on the back burner but we’ll keep working towards it. For now, customers just reach out to me and we arrange a pickup time so we’ll continue on this way.

It is good to have plans and things to work towards. The ongoing project this year is to work on the barn. First jacking it and eventually siding but this is a big undertaking for a big old barn and it could take quite some time.

Make sure to check out the town’s website newrymaine.org to stay up to date on town business. Don’t forget the Town office will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We did venture out s…

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My winter goal is to paint the bathroom and I’ve purchased the paint so it is definitely going to happen soon. Another goal is to organize and s…

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The presents are wrapped and in a box hiding as the cats have decided there is a turf war for space under the tree, even though there is plenty of room for both cats. The younger cat is a pure imp and loves to chew on the lights when no one is looking. Thankfully I found the bulb he was able to remove and it still worked so the bottom strand is lit up again. I often wonder if he will ever grow up but he is going on 4 years old and it hasn’t happened.

We still have yet to make our annual cookies and I totally forgot to pick up stuff at the store this past weekend so hopefully I have everything we need or we’ll have to find another recipe.

So far, I have enjoyed our new platform for the column, although I need to get used to writing weekly again. It is nice to be able to add photos and I’m thankful to Amy Chapman for uploading all of our columns. I also can see if people like my column which is nice.

Here’s to hoping we can grow in subscribers and reach more people so be sure to tell your friends and family. Merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy your family. Take time to make memories and relax.

Send me your news to be added to next week’s column: newrynews24@newrymaine.org.

With only a week left until Christmas I think we all are busy hustling and bustling to get things done. Shopping is complete in our house with a few orders still to arrive. The next task is to wrap. Most things are still in the boxes they arrived in as then I don’t have to worry about wandering little eyes. I’ve found in the past my hamper is a great place to hide presents, although I don’t have a peeker.

Our family has never been one to put on a meal Christmas Day although we usually have spaghetti and meatballs along with some garlic bread. I’ve done lobster in the past but I’m the only one who eats it. I sure do miss my dad as this was our tradition. Sometimes I repeat it, even alone, in memory of him along with a big bowl of warm butter.

The electric pressure cooker has arrived and I’m anxious to try it out. It is the wrong time of year but the deal was right. Maybe I can come up with something to can this winter to give it a try.

The Town still has plenty of chairs available if anyone is interested in owning a piece of Newry history.

Don’t forget if you have not licensed your dog this must be done by the end of January to avoid a late fee.

Thank you to all who have sent cards and sweet treats to us girls at the Town Office. It is nice to be remembered and appreciated.

During the holiday season remember to take time to enjoy your family and making memories. Appreciate the small things as sometimes the small things are the big things.

Send me your news to: newrynews24@gmail.com and I’ll happily add it to an upcoming column.