Because of the Thanksgiving holiday next week, local columnists were given an early deadline of Wednesday, Nov. 19 for the next print edition of the paper. As a result, I’ve just finished writing next week’s column before starting this week’s…which in turn has resulted in a lot of confusion on my part. What week is this, anyway?
At least having next week’s column already written means that I’ll have a little more time to focus on Thanksgiving preparations of my own. We’ll be heading to the Red House in Sunday River to spend the holiday with my brother Steve and most of his family, so I don’t have to think about a turkey (except for maybe scheming how to bring home some leftovers) but I always make the rolls and pies, along with some sort of salad or veggie dish.
Tony and I took advantage of a rare (for this month) sunny day on Saturday to go for my first post-surgery hike. Even though it was really just a three-mile walk on the logging road in the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest, I figured the few hundred feet of elevation gain qualified it as a hike. Although it was chilly and windy, we dressed for it, and it was great to be out in the sunshine and getting a bit of uphill exertion.
When we arrived at the Route 26 trailhead on Saturday, we were surprised to find it almost completely full of cars, and a huge group of 20-ish guys were just gathering to start hiking. We hung back for a few minutes to let them get ahead of us, although I don’t think there was any chance that we would have matched their pace.
By the time we got to the overlook, less than a half-mile from the trailhead, we could look up and see them arriving at the top of Buck’s Ledge. On our way up, we had met up with our friend Katina; she said the whole gang had stopped to pet her dog, and they told her they were all fraternity brothers from Northeastern University. She estimated their number at about 60, certainly the biggest group of hikers I’d ever seen on the trails anywhere.
Even though it feels like we barely saw the sun for quite a long spell, we didn’t really get a lot of precipitation during that stretch, either. I only recorded about a quarter of an inch in my rain gauge (which, by the way, is actually an old tomato can that I had to resort to after I left several glass and plastic rain gauges out too long in the fall over the years, causing them to freeze and break). I was curious about whether or not the drought conditions had improved, and the answer is, not much.
Here’s a comparison of the last two weeks of Maine drought maps from the U.S. Drought Monitor website, and it appears that our location may now be out of the “extreme drought” zone, but just barely. There should be a new map out later today (data is recorded through Tuesday at 7 a.m. each week, and released on Thursdays), but I don’t imagine it will show much, if any, improvement.
Tony did check on our well a couple of days ago, and he says we have plenty of water, which makes me breathe a little easier with winter coming on. I’m still seeing quite a few people at the roadside spring, getting water in large containers, and I know how lucky we are.
Here are some of the many events coming up soon, including this really fun and exciting first one on the list, which is happening because of the tireless efforts of Greenwood’s own Lynn Cobb—Conservation Commission member, crusader for recycling and re-use, and all-around terrific human.
Friday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Open House and Holiday Wonderland at the Greenwood Town Hall on Main Street. Cure the Black Friday Blues with this free event, featuring crafting stations, cocoa and tea, and access to the Holiday Wonderland, full of free holiday treasures looking for new homes. Craft supplies will be provided to make a wreath and upcycled ornaments, and there will be a reindeer crafting contest with prizes for the most artistic, most original, and funkiest reindeer. The snow date for this event is Saturday, Nov. 29.
Saturday, Nov. 29: Small Business Saturday. Kick off the holiday season by “shopping small” for unique gifts at local businesses all day long. The BAAM (Bethel Area Arts & Music) Winter Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crescent Park School, and the Museum Shop in the Bethel Historical Society’s Robinson House will be open during those hours as well.
Friday, Dec. 5, and Friday, Dec. 19, from 4-6 p.m.: Greenwood Farmers’ Market at the old Town Hall on Main Street in Locke’s Mills. This is a change from the original schedule, which only allowed for one market day in December. Donations for the Bethel Food Pantry will be collected at both December markets, and the Holiday Wonderland, where you can “free-shop” for holiday décor, will be open on both dates as well.
Saturday, Dec. 6, from 12-3 p.m. at West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: Christmas Fair and Tea. Start your holiday season with a relaxing visit. Come and have a cup of tea, coffee, or hot cocoa with friends, along with fancy treats. Then head downstairs for the popular “cookie walk,” tiny treasures tables filled with Christmas items, and a home-baked food table.
Saturday, Dec. 6, from 12-5 p.m. at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society on Broad Street in Bethel: “Christmas at the Mason House” and Holiday Open House and Bake Sale. One of the most popular annual happenings at MBHS, the event will feature candlelit tours of the Mason House, decorated for the holidays in 19th century style, with seasonal music performed by fiddler Monica Mann and friends and harpist Conni St. Pierre. Next door at the Robinson House, the Museum Shop will be open with plenty of unique gift ideas and homemade breads, pies, cookies, and other holiday treats. The event is free, but donations are welcome.
Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of West Paris: The Oxford Hills Ukulele Group will lead a Christmas carol sing-along to get everyone into the spirit of Christmas. This is a popular event that the church has hosted in the past, and always lots of fun.
Sunday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m. at Gould Academy’s Bingham Auditorium: Mahoosuc Community Band Christmas Concert. Ed Ryan is directing the band, which includes musicians of all ages, from 14 to 97. Donations are accepted at the door. The snow date is Monday, December 8, at 7 p.m.
If you have news or events you’d like included here, email me at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or call 207-890-4812. And, if you can, come listen to me read from and discuss my book, Just Like Glass, at the Andover Public Library this Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m.!
“When you’re supporting small businesses you’re not helping a CEO buy a third vacation home. You are helping a little girl get dance lessons, a little boy his team jersey, a mom put food on the table, a dad pay a mortgage, or a student pay for college.” (Anonymous)
I love your writing, Amy. Thank you for persisting with it.
Nice that your knees are doing so well.