Sunny Saturdays

There was a lot of bustle in the River Valley last Saturday: Aubuchon’s parking lot was full at noontime and there were yard sales galore.

I was headed down Rumford Avenue toward the hardware store when the Pink Sock Foundation’s fundraiser for breast cancer victims came into view. Hard to miss it with Webber’s Fuel truck, trimmed in pink and bearing the motto “delivering for a cure,” parked by the sidewalk.

In the parking lot across the street from the Eagles Aerie 1248 was an antique car and motorcycle show, food, live music and the Eagles Riders raffle ticket sale.

Later in the day, there was dinner and a pink sock hop.Tim Merrill came over from Brewer, where the Pink Sock Foundation began, to help out. “In four yeas we’ve raised $40,000.” Merrill is chairman for the statewide organization. Annette Plante, Bunny Provencher and Matt Plante were there, among many other hardworking volunteers. For questions about the Eagles statewide Pink Sock Foundation, call Tim at 852-8295.

“Uncle Frank” arranged the deal with the Maine furniture makers and crafters gallery, and he takes care of all the advertising for the flea market. Flea market merchants pay just $5 a table to set up shop in the parking lot opposite Rowe Ford and just down the road from Lloyd’s. Last Saturday, a big tent sheltered a large collection of this and that offered by folks from Weld. A Mexico couple who used to go to Lancaster, N.H., for the flea market there, is glad to be closer to home. One family comes to the flea market from their campground in Newry. “We’re spending the summer there; but usually, I’m down on the coast.”

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The flea market is a new summer enterprise in the River Valley and, despite rainy Saturdays gone by, sellers are generally optimistic that the Saturday flea market will catch on.

On the same last Saturday, late afternoon, at the Gardner Roberts Memorial Library in Hanover, another fundraiser was held. The little library that could thrive and does. Call 364-2995 for library hours and activities. Same day, after a couple of days of sunshine, the grass now mown, it was time to face the garden, or what’s left of it. The zinnia seedlings had washed away and the parsley and basil seedlings, too. The one and only tomato blossom was holding on for dear life. Forget the radishes, also the peas and lettuce. Some faint hope for the zucchini and beans, but not much. I’m beginning to feel sorry for the woodchuck.

Forget the failed garden! Revel in Bethel this Saturday, July 18, at Mollyocket Day. A week later, climb Whitecap with the Mahoosuc Land Trust, from the East Andover Road trail head, Saturday, July 25. Details: 824-3806.

Come down the mountain and make your way to Rumford Center where the annual Food & Treasures sale will be held at the Meeting House. There’ll be homemade baked goods (Shirley Gammon’s doughnuts!) and ice cream, Ray’s famous hot dogs and dolls and drums, books and videos, furniture, kitchenware, clothing, bedding, tools and appliances. The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 25.

Another workweek and here comes Andover Olde Home Days. A weekend of activities, highlighted by the parade Saturday morning, Aug. 1. Sunny Saturdays!

Linda Farr Macgregor: ljm@gwi.net


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