Albany’s picnic last Saturday was the best attended since our picnics began. There were 87 people at the Forest event. June Johnson and Dick VanDyne tended the raffle table. There were 18 different items to choose from for the Chinese Raffle which included gift certificates from Albany Pet, Almost There, Creative Touch, Dion’s Plant Place, Darby Field, Zebs, Valley Originals, Bea’s Cafe, Lobster Trap, Marcello’s, a Mary Kay gift basket, and items donated by Profile Motors. There were also blankets to purchase with Albany’s logo on it. The food was great (a quote from Sara Young Knox) and the weather cooperated totally. Kelly Robitaille and Matt Golding (Kathy Vizzard’s friend) held court at the grill and did a great job. The potluck salad dishes and desserts were tasty and devoured. Thanks to all who were involved with the set up and running of the event! Among the guests were some politicos running for office: Dominic Richardi (Sheriff), Robin Gordon (County Attorney), Susan Ticehurst (Representative District 3), Ed Butler (Representative District 7), Mark McConkey, (Representative District 3), and me, Dorothy Solomon (County Commissioner District 2). As promised there were games for the kids, swimming for those who chose to swim, and a special dog show put on by the Sheriff’s department and handler Noel Coward (retired police officer from Conway) to show how the county sheriff’s office new dog, Charlie, a 2 year old Belgium Malenios,will be trained. After everyone had partaken in the delicious lunch, Kathy Vizzard and Margaret Leahy conducted the raffle. There were many lucky winners and some won more than one prize. The winners were, Stan Solomon (2 prizes), Jack Rose, Roger Ambros (3 prizes), Shirley VanDyne (2 prizes), Mary Leavitt (2 prizes), Mark McConkey, Allyson Hermanson (3 prizes), Lola Rubio ( 2 prizes), Jessica VanDyne, Amelia Torres (2 prizes), Carol Munroe, Laurie Sanford, Diana Alves (3 prizes), Tyler VanDyne, D. Richardson, Donna Gray, Lisa Robitaille, Bob Parrish, Jean Wiggen, Brady Robitaille, Ethan Robitaille and Dick Wales. By anyone’s calculation it was a terrific day in the Albany Forest!
World Fellowship: Monday at 7:30pm there will be a multi-media presentation with Steve Thornton author of “A Shoeleather History of the Wobblies”. On Sunday, August 4 at 10am, Alice Rothchild,will present a powerful documentary exploring the very timely Voices Across the Divide which explores the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
Tin Mountain: Dr. Pam Hunt will be hosting a program on insects and beetles today from 10am to 2pm both indoors and outdoors. Bring a lunch and enjoy.
Gibson Center: Fran’s Flick next week will be “42” on July 29 after lunch. There will be blood pressure screening at Thursday’s lunch. The Flatbread Fundraiser for the Center is Thursday from 4-9 pm. Enjoy great pizza and Flatbreads will donate a portion of the sales of each order to the center to help fund Meals on Wheels. Time to sign up for the Ossipee Lake Boat Trip on August 8. Call 356-3231.
UNH Extension: The next Common Gardening Club program will be held August 6 at 1 pm. The topic is Reading Food Labels. Call 447-3834 for further information. The Veggie Volunteer Program is underway again at Sherman Farm in Conway. Pick second quality and excess produce for the local food banks. The program continues through August. Contact Olivia Saunders at 447-3834 for further information.
On Thursday at 6pm there’s a reception in Bethlehem before the screening of the film “Enemies: A Love Story”. This is part of the Jewish Film Festival being held at the Colonial Theater.
Congratulations to Josephine Howland Gormley and Scott Gormley on their marriage June 21 (on the Summer Solstice). They had an old fashioned “hand festing” another name for tying the knot. Last September Josephine attended the Mother Earth Festival in Asheville, NC. Among the activities she learned about was home gardening, growing berries and making yogurt and cheese. Once home she put some of the ideas to use. She is now raising free range chickens and will be selling the eggs shortly. Keep tuned for opening day.
Congratulations to Emily Brown who was named to Plymouth State University’s president’s list.
Kathy Vizard and family returned from vacation. They had fun at Wales Tail and Clarks Bears.
Among our summer people back at their cottage are Nancy and Dana Rotman of Wallingford, Ct. And visiting with them is their son and his family. Also back from Florida are Lola and Lewis Rubio.
Abby Hernandez has returned home to her folks. The summer is here and the rains are holding back until evening. Life is good in the valley. Have a great week!