Hello folks,
Isn’t this Fall foliage season one of the prettiest and longest you have witnessed in recent years? When I lived in Florida for about 20 years, Fall was the season I missed the most. It was almost a physical pain, longing for the sights, sounds, and scents of September and October. This yearning would prompt me to go down memory lane and reminisce about my younger years; jumping in the piles of leaves, my feet crunching through them as I slowly shuffled my way to the neighborhood library. That was on one of the most iconic avenues in Portland, lined with maples and oaks that towered above, making an arch. Of course, the 60’s in Portland, Maine, was a time to chat with your neighbors, kids carving pumpkins as they bit down hard on bright red candy apples. Raking the leaves into the street brought everyone out. All hands on deck to watch the burning piles on the side of the street. Everyone did it. The city did not have all the equipment they have now. Not a safe or environmentally sound practice, but I still savor the smell of burning leaves. Now that I live in Bethel full-time, I relish each day because of the natural beauty and colors that surround me. I certainly do not take it for granted!
Last Friday, the Bethel Senior Citizens Club may have begun a new fall tradition. Thirty-two members and friends traveled to Meredith, New Hampshire, in a 15-passenger van and several carpools. There, we boarded the Turkey Train for a dining-car ride featuring colorful views of Lake Winnipesaukee. From Mother’s Day through Halloween, the train runs several times a day and serves a full turkey dinner catered by the renowned Hart’s Turkey Farm. The food was delicious and plentiful, and the waitstaff was attentive and fun. Although we were just one small group among many larger bus tours, we had our own dining car—so what happened there stays there! I will, however, share a few photos.
The phrase “Waste not, want Not,” came to mind when my friend showed me his empty plate. I would have been happy to have taken a doggy bag home. It was that delicious. Perhaps you would like to join us next year?
I want to share with you a new and exciting feature of this column.
Betsey Foster of Greenwood recently reached out to me. She has a master’s degree in public health, and experience as a journalist/newspaper editor. I personally know her as the spunky gal who shared the cross-country ski trails with me years ago. Today she is an accomplished artist and an active member of the Plein Aire painters’ group. Besides being a “dog mom” and lover of nature, she is an all-around direct and kind person. I was thrilled when she contacted me and offered to occasionally write about the various aspects of aging for this column. You will be seeing and reading more from her over the next months. She introduced the idea with “I was talking with another aging friend about our normal physical and mental changes as we age. I realized many, if not all of us, have the same concerns about our changing bodies and minds…Would you be interested in a short, once-a-month piece; a timely example might be why we are so easily overwhelmed by things that were routine in our younger years? Yes, there is a scientific and biochemical basis for this! Writing, research and science, as a public service to all of us old folks…”
She got my attention!! And I think you will be just as happy as I am to read her article, which follows.
Enjoy your week,
Melinda Remington
AFCI Community Connector
melindaremington@yahoo.com
