It is so hard to believe that June is here already. Hopefully it will bring us some beautiful summer days filled with blue skies and sunshine and lovely warm summer evenings under the stars next to a cozy bonfire.
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 10th: 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 13th: 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 13th, 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.