Happy mid-October! This month seems to be screaming by. Three more weeks til the election. I’m really looking forward to the end of the political ads. I am sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. Nothing is going to change my mind at this point, and I have the mute button ready to go whenever there’s a barrage of them!
I am very excited to announce this upcoming exhibit at the Whitman Memorial Library. Kenneth Hathaway was a great uncle who I never met, brother to my grandfather, Rupert. There isn’t a lot of information about him that we have been able to find about details of his life. He was in the Army, and then lived in Boston with his mother, for most of his life. His mother was Claire Whitman Hathaway. He worked at the Christian Science Monitor, and was an accomplished artist in pastels. My grandfather had many of his works, and they have been shared with the generations that followed. We selected paintings that show local scenes, or particular ones that are our favorites. Some are of the lake. I do hope that many will come in to view them.
The library is search of a new librarian. If you, or someone you know, is interested (12 hours weekly), please contact the town office.
Here’s one more plug for the chili and chowder dinner next week at the Locke Mills Union Church.
From the First Universalist Church of West Paris:
October 18, Our guest speaker, Maryli Tiemann, will be sharing a reflection, “Stuff Beyond Hope.” “In the midst of endless dramatic news items, I like to remind myself to continue believing in the truth of the potential of human beings. I’m sure any of us could grouse about all we’re not doing. Yet what’s interesting is to pause and look at what happens intuitively as we live, the gut stuff. The process of evolving in motion, in constant revision.”
October 25, “Repairers of the Breach” is led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. Here’s an excerpt: “I am sometimes quite envious of my friends who seem to have the gift of choosing sides and believing utterly and completely in their cause. There is a certain kind of clarity about their positions that I sometimes lack. They are often blissfully unencumbered by the concerns of those they deem to simply be wrong. They know the truth and carry no burden of caring for those who do not. I’ve never quite been able to muster that kind of certainty about my positions in relation to those of others. Way too often I find myself standing in the middle ground and trying to bring folks together. The problem is that compromise is not nearly as compelling as the cause, whatever it may be. To repair the breach often means to put oneself in a position of pleasing no one. It can be a position that is despised until both sides decide they need something that only you have—a middle place to meet. The real art, the real challenge, is to fill that middle ground in such a way that it bends towards justice. Those who would repair the breach in a way that endures are not those without conviction, but those who love all people enough to move them towards loving each other.”
For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/. The First Universalist Church of West Paris is located at 208 Main St., West Paris 04289.
On Saturday, Dave and I went to Bruno’s Restaurant in Portland for a special birthday meal. My brother-in-law, George Stowell, turned 90 last week. His children, Rachel, Sandy, and David, successfully pulled off a surprise party for him. It was a lovely day, a great group, wonderful food, and an all-round good time! I was especially pleased to see my great nephew, Andrew Sprague. It’s always a good time with the Stowell crew. I’m very grateful for them.
On Indigenous People’s Day, several us gathered at Hathaway’s Hideaway to honor and celebrate Owen Melville. We toasted him, told stories, and had his favorite snacks—even some salsa he himself made! Susan chose that day because Owen has always been proud of his Native heritage. It seemed only fitting. Each of us had a shot glass with some of his ashes, and we all went outside to scatter them. He really was an amazing man—from being in the Peace Corps to learning to do home canning!
My daughters are off to London tomorrow, for a long weekend. The company that Rachel designs for —Pulp and Wire—is being recognized at Pentawards, which is all about packaging and design. It sounds like quite an event—a Gala that looks quite extravagant. Rachel happened to be available to go to London to accept the award, and immediately asked her sister to go along. I certainly look forward to hearing of their adventures.
If you have any news or know of anything happening, please let me know! lalalindastowell@gmail.com