This mid-September weather has been a bit chilly in the mornings. Still working on loading up my dad’s woodshed for him. We just broke down and started our wood stove this past Sunday and kept it going all day which felt so cozy on the rainy dreary day. We got our first oil fill-up last week and let me just say, we will be burning as much wood as possible, ouch!
Last Tuesday my bff Velora and I traveled to Waterville to see Celtic Thunder. It was a first for us, both seeing the group and the venue. Our evening started out with dinner at The Proper Pig. Everything was delicious and we left rather stuffed.
The Opera House is very beautiful and upon entering we noticed a sign that stated we could purchase a meet and greet with two of the group members after the show. We thought “Why not!” I’m so glad we did; it was great fun. There was a Q & A session, trivia questions from Neil and Ronan and time for autographs.
I won a signed Celtic Thunder poster during the trivia portion. We also ran into our High School English teacher, Mr. Abbott! Of course we had to grab a “selfie.”
Suffice to say that we both had an amazing time. PS If you haven’t heard “Seven Drunken Nights” it’s worth a listen and a laugh.
This past Saturday the Ellis River Riders had a show at the ERR grounds. On Friday evening some troublesome coyotes (we are really having a big problem with those in our neighborhood) spooked one of the horses out of its enclosure. The word spread and quite of few people from South Andover and beyond headed out to help. I went and walked my property with a spotlight hoping to find the runaway as it was loose in unfamiliar territory. The owner and others searched until 1:30 am to no avail. On Saturday morning he was found safe and sound at Kim and Danny Peare’s around 7 am. Thanks to Joe Martin for leading him off Route 5 and onto their property until the grateful owner came to retrieve him. We not only have a wonderful horse community, but a community of people that will drop everything to try and help when help is needed. So glad for a happy ending to the story.
Here is some news provided by our neighbors, The Ellis Pond Sidekicks, about their EPSK scholarships. Here are the highlights. Applications are open to anyone who will be between 9 and 18 during the summer of 2027 and are related to an EPSK member. The scholarships are $300 each for a 2027 summer program at the UMaine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond. Application deadline is December 1, 2026. Right now it looks like we’ve raised enough for eight $300 scholarships. Provided below is the link to the camp.
What a great opportunity for some young folks!
https://extension.umaine.edu/bryantpond/summer-camp/
Just a reminder that there will be a potluck lunch this Saturday, the 26th, at 11:30 am, at the Andover Congregational Church. Please come join in the fun. Drinks will be provided. If the weatherman is right and it’s going to be a rainy day, what better way to spend it having some yummy food and conversation.
This coming Saturday, September 26th from 1-3 P.M. at the Andover Library, there will be a Fall Flavors Soup Share. Bring a small pot of your favorite soup and a recipe to share. Bowls and spoons will be provided.
Tuesday, October 20th, at 4 P.M., the Andover Library will host a Spooky Stories of Maine event. You can come and recount a scary story that you’ve read or experienced. Or share a favorite spooky story anthology (ghost stories of Maine, unexplained mysteries of New England, etc.)
These sound like fantastic events to welcome in the fall season. If time permits I would love to do both! There are more events coming up that I will post in a future column. Great things are happening at the Andover Public Library!
Last Saturday I had the honor and pleasure of attending the wedding of a former AES student of mine. We have kept in touch over the years and I was touched when I received an invitation in the mail. It was a very unique and beautiful ceremony held outside on the most perfect fall day. It was a Celtic/Medieval themed wedding, the likes that I have never seen before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Congratulations to the Thaxters on finding their happily ever after.
Please send any news or events my way...I really do appreciate all the emails I receive! diananadeau@ymail.com