Please forgive my somewhat abbreviated column this week. I was away Monday and Tuesday in Portland with my husband while he underwent a minor heart procedure.
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