As I’ve heard so many others express, it’s hard to believe it’s almost August. The older I get, the faster time goes by, which is a bit alarming, considering the many things I still hope to get done in my lifetime! Among the items on my lengthy bucket list are climbing at least one other 4,000-footer (besides Old Speck, which I’ve done a few times); completing the novel I’ve been working on, off and on, for years (and maybe writing a couple more?); and becoming a proficient sourdough baker. Would any readers care to share some items from their bucket lists for a future column? It should make for interesting reading, and I’m willing to bet some of you have more ambitious goals than mine!
Lena has been on four short hikes in the past week (one at Maggie’s Nature Park, one on the Lapham Loop, and two to Buck’s Ledge from camp) and has done really well at not getting jumpy and bitey, except for a bit of trouble on the return from Buck’s Ledge yesterday morning. Loop hikes still seem to be the way to avoid that particular behavior, so we may continue to stick to the Lapham Loop and the trails at Maggie’s for the next couple of weeks to see if she can get out of the habit. Still, it’s so convenient to go out the back door at camp and head up the trail to Buck’s Ledge, without having to get in the car and drive anywhere.
I’ve been on vacation this week—my first week off during the summer since 2018!—and we’ve had lots of company at camp, with more to come this weekend, when we’ll celebrate Will and Tony’s birthdays, which are both on Saturday. Donna was here from Friday through Monday, and we spent a good chunk of time relaxing on the deck on each of those days, making it finally feel like summer to me. My daughter Annie arrived from Colorado on Tuesday for a short visit, and managed to get one day of sunny deck time before the clouds and rain set in. There have also been visits from the crew who have been staying at my brother’s camp, just down the road, including my niece Sara and her husband Michael, who are here from their home in the other Portland this week.
We’ll celebrate Annie’s birthday, which was July 20, this evening (Thursday) with dinner at camp and vegan carrot cake. On Friday, Annie and I will drive to York Beach to spend the afternoon with her Colorado sister, Cait, who is on vacation there this week with her partner Ben and his extended family, and Donna will meet up with us, too, to see both girls (her honorary nieces). Then I’ll drop Annie off at the airport (in our Portland) on my way home.
On Saturday, Katie and Lila will arrive to celebrate Tony and Will’s birthdays with lobster and (definitely not vegan) cheesecake.
To top it off, on Monday I’ll be hosting three college friends for “Colby College Camp Day,” an annual gathering we’ve all been enjoying for many years.
Whew…tell me again why it’s called a vacation? At least I’m not trying to fit in all this socializing while working, too.
This past Saturday I attended the celebration of life for Beth Brough, held at her beloved West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel, which truly was a celebration, with all of her five wonderful kids and several grandchildren sharing beautiful thoughts and memories of their remarkable matriarch through words and music. I felt as though I already knew many of them through the essays Beth shared with us in our writing group meetings, and I feel blessed to have had this brief glimpse into the deep love (and abundant humor) shared by this extraordinary family. Godspeed, Beth…you will be so much missed, and so well remembered, by so many.
Facebook memories have, again, been reminding me of Eli the Wonder Pup, and what a big part he played in our lives. We are so lucky to have been his people, even if for far too short a time.
Here are some August events for your calendar:
Wednesday, August 5, at 7 p.m. at the Locke’s Mills Legion Hall, Greenwood Historical Society program, “Growing Up Greenwood,” will feature a panel of some of our town’s oldest residents telling stories about “how life used to be in Greenwood.” It will be a great chance for newer residents to learn how life used to be here in our community.
Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8, on the lawn of the Bethel Library: Annual Used Book Sale. The sale begins at noon on Friday and continues all day on Saturday. This much-anticipated event will take place rain or shine. For more information, call 207-824-2520.
Saturday, August 8, is Molly Ockett Day in Bethel, beginning with the parade at 10:30 a.m., continuing all day with kids’ activities, food, vendors, and entertainment on the Common, and culminating in fireworks at 9 p.m. You can find the full schedule of events on the Bethel Area Business Association Facebook page.
Friday, August 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Bethel Makerspace, 10 Ferry Road, Bethel: Community Mending Group monthly meeting. From the organizers: “Join us drop-in style. Yes, we’re starting earlier than usual, and yes, at the West Bethel Makerspace! Altering our usual “Feature Focus” (one specific topic and/or skill) format just a bit, we’re suggesting several possibilities of what to bring to work on. Any furniture needing repair? There will be expertise along with different glues, sanders, veneer, clamps etc. Or maybe there’s a small appliance sitting dormant in your closet. With the range of skills circulating, it could be revived! Or…get it done with 3d printing, perfect for small missing plastic parts that are holding up progress. We are thrilled with all the opportunities the Makerspace presents! The Makerspace team has created a fantastic working environment, and they look forward to making new connections that support our community. As always, rally up a friend, and a few dollars to put into the donation box so that our group can continue to grow and thrive.”
Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Paris Historical Society, 221 Main Street in West Paris: Indoor Yard Sale. Items include books, home decor, dishes, tools, games, and other treasures! Proceeds benefit the West Paris Historical Society. Parking available behind the West Paris Library.
Saturday, August 15, at 2 p.m. at the Locke’s Mills Legion Hall, 595 Gore Road: Silent Auction to benefit “Sunshine for Sugarsnap,” raising funds for Michelle “Sugarsnap” Roberts’ fight to save her leg through a rare two-stage joint reconstruction surgery. From Harry Orcutt, Commander of American Legion Jackson Silver Post 68 in Locke’s Mills: “In a continuing community outreach program, the Executive Committee of American Legion Jackson Silver Post 68 is providing their spacious facility to help her raise funds with a Silent Auction. Donations of items for the auction are being sought; a donation jar will be available at the event. Free admission and parking. We are trying to get the word out, to make this effort as successful as possible.”
Please see the flyer below for additional information and more ways to help.
Saturday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the West Paris Library: Amy Wight Chapman (hey, that’s me!) will read from and discuss her family memoir. Published by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, Just Like Glass is the story of an indomitable family and how a strong matriarch, the stillness of a small pond in western Maine, and one unexpected addition set them on a path to healing from tragedy and redefining themselves as a family unit.
This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.
“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” – Sam Keen