The weather wasnât particularly cooperative for the Annual Albany Picnic, but still about 75 people turned up for the good food and fellowship. Hatâs off to the work that Cathy Carrier did on organizing the event. And thanks to the grillers, Matt Golding and Kelly Robitaille. Thanks also to Shirley and Dick Van Dyne and their granddaughter, Jessica (who came from Hopington for the picnic) for taking care of the raffle and Lee and June Johnson for selling of Albany tee shirts and caps and Historical Society books. Thanks to those who provided items for the raffle. Those from Albany were Albany Pet Care, Almost There, Creative Touch, June Johnson for providing Mary Kay items, Ragged Mountain, and Darby Field, There was a food glitch with Hannaford sending the ordered food to the wrong store, but Camille Rose was able to pick up the franks and burgers for the hungry crowd in time for lunch. Thanks also to Peter and Cindy Carboni for the horse rides and thanks to Olof Ekbergh for the drone show at the event. All in all it was another great Albany Picnic!
At the selectmenâs meeting Wednesday, the selectmen voted to permit the Take a Walk in Our Shoes Relay to use the old Webb building on Route 16 as a station of their relay and then to continue on through Albany to their destination, Shouler Park. The walk is scheduled for September 20 and starts at 10am. The town is conducting sealed bids on two properties in Albany: one on Bald Hill Road and the other on Golden Oaks Road. Bid packets can be picked up at the office or by e-mail: contact@albany.org. Bids must be received at the selectmenâs office by noon of August 3. They will be opened and read aloud on August 5 at 4:15pm. The selectmen received the adopted and signed copy of the Albany Emergency Plan. Cathy Ryan will get in touch with those who had worked on the plan previously to invite them to a meeting. She also asked that the selectmen have business cards to give out when they are doing Albany business. Jack Rose in reviewing the picnic, said that there are still hats and tee shirts available for sale. The caps with a lovely embroidered logo are $20, the shirts with printed logos on front and back (sizes M, L, XL) $12.50 can be purchased by calling him at 447-6611. Kelly Robitaille brought up a pressing concern for our state: heroin addiction. He found a discarded needle on his driveway and other paraphernalia in the bathroom where he works. There was a suggestion that an Albany town representative attend the group meetings on the heroin addiction problem that Lance Zack leads at Tri-County Cap. Anyone finding drug paraphernalia should get in touch with the Sheriffâs office.
World Fellowship: Sunday at 10am Sofia Wolman who has attended two World Conferences against A and H Bombs will speak about the nuclear abolition movement opportunities and challenges.
Gibson Center: On July 28 after lunch watch the movie âUnbrokenâ.
Library: Join Tai Chi on Monday at 1pm and the Lego Club at 4pm on Tuesday. On Wednesday at 10:30am itâs Story Time for Babies and Toddlers. Also at 10:30am learn about Community Heroes. At 5pm thereâs the MWV Band and Cookout. On Thursday at 10:30am itâs Story Time ages 3 and up. At 4pm thereâs Gardening at the Library. On Friday sign up ends for the summer reading program at noon.
Thursday, July 30 at 7pm enjoy Arts Jubileeâs Pops Concert (a tribute to Frank Sinatra) and fireworks at Cranmore Mountain.
Donât forget the Kennett High School Alumni Summer outing on Saturday, July 25. Itâs an opportunity to see old classmates and friends.
Dixie Lea, founder of Sunshine Yoga Community Alliance and Michael Kline of Kline Seminars will be holding wellness retreats at the Darby Field Inn starting August 25 and running through August 28. For more information call 447-2181.
There were terrible accidents in the waters of Albany recently. On Whiten Pond off Drake Hill Road on Sunday a canoe overturned and one man trapped beneath was drowned even though he was wearing a lifejacket. On Monday just above Lower Falls a 14 year-old boy was saved from drowning by Fire Chief Solomon. Though swimming in the waters in Albany is a delightful summer event, much caution needs to be taken. Be especially careful after a rainstorm.
Condolences to Bonnie and Frank Smith on the death of Bonnieâs mother, Mary Locke.
I received a thank you card for a donation given to help Danielle Shannon. From the return address it appears sheâs back in Alaska and well. Best of everything, Danielle.
Congratulations to Emily Mathieu on making the deanâs list at Keene State College and to Jennifer Vizard who made the deanâs list at Lasell College. Keep up the good work!
Take advantage of the good weather and have a great week!