LIVERMORE FALLS — The Nelke family will be featured Thursday, Aug. 6, during the second annual community reception in the former Masonic Hall, on the third floor of the Livermore Falls Bank Building.

Festivities will begin at the Livermore/Livermore Falls bridge where granddaughter Nelke was walking with Grandpa Solomon Nelke when the wind took her new hat and sent it down river. Details can be found in Bernice (Nelke) Richmond’s local book, “Right as Rain.” A straw hat provided by Alice Nelke, Livermore Falls, will be tossed about 6:30 p.m.

Starting at 7 p.m. refreshments will be available by the Livermore Falls Women’s Club at tables decorated with summer straw hats. They will be distributed as door prizes to winners. Nelke history will be provided by Gail Slade of East Livermore and Dennis Stires of North Livermore, who have researched the family.

Excerpts from the movie “Life with Father” will be shown by Scott Sencebaugh of Jay. Howard Lindsay (stage name for Herman Nelke of Wilton and Livermore Falls) and wife, Dorothy Stickney, were national favorites during the 1940s. During many summers they provided “Life with Father” at the Lakewood Music Theater, Madison.

Howard Lindsay and playwright partner Russell Crouse provided the script for “Call Me Madame,” starring Ethel Merman. Details can be found in Bob Thomas’ book about Merman, “I Got Rhythm!” The duo also wrote the script for “The Sound of Music.”

Reservations are requested, by calling Dennis Stires at 897-4222. Admission is free; donations will help purchase the compact disc that contains the architect designs for the first bank building in 1899. Grade six students at Livermore Middle School will be studying the plans, plus the newer changes, this coming school year with teacher Debbie Finley.
Program will conclude about 9 p.m. with the drawing of door prizes.