Happy Mother’s Day this Sunday to all who meet the criteria, a reminder to all of you who have forgotten–it’s the 2nd Sunday in May every year! I hope I haven’t jumped the gun, but I got my garden ready and planted on May 5 and 6, since the old farmer’s tale about not planting until the last full moon in May was this past Sunday, May 3. I guess I’ll just have to keep the big blue tarps handy.

The luncheon for Seniors was another big success and as promised Craig and his brother Corey entertained us with the playing of guitar and fiddle as well as their great voices and songs. Their father, David also played the fiddle he had made and his son Jamie had made the neck at the top of which he had carved a remarkable resemblance of his Dad’s favorite Morgan Stallion’s head, David also recited “Passing of the Old Backhouse” by James Whitcomb Riley to everyone’s enjoyment.

One other item I would like to mention is the boxes placed in businesses around town to collect the “Recipes and Stories” , associated with them while living or visiting here in Weld. Each Weld taxpayer should have received a sample form to complete in the mail a few weeks ago, and you may send in more than one with its story. If you haven’t received a form, you may pick one up at the locations with the submission boxes or go to our web site at www.weldkitchenstories.wordpress.com

Anyone may submit more than one recipe but be sure each one has a story associated with Weld to go with it–that’s what we’re looking for not “just” a recipe. We want a broad range of recipe stories, not just historical ones. Anyone who loves this area and has something to share should. If you would like or need help to write the story simply call Jennifer Latham at 585-2281 or myself (Martha) at 585-2215. We really want your “stories” and the recipes that go with them, so don’t hesitate to call and add to this “different” approach to everyday life in Weld.

The meetings for this reporting period are: Tuesday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. Maine co-operative Extension meets in the multi-purpose room in the Town Office complex. The topic of this month’s meeting is the country of Italy. Jen Latham and Purse Drapeau are doing an Italian meal of Spaghetti & Meatballs, salad, bread and dessert and following lunch they will be working on some of the crafts for the Farmer’s Market this August.

On Wednesday, May 13 the Planning Board meets in the multi-purpose room in the Town office complex at 6 p.m. Selectmen meet Tuesday, May 19 at 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Town office complex.

The Weld Public Library Book Club meets at the Pirtle/Karasko home Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. The current members are Carol Pirtle, Mary Karasko, Judy Rogers, Joanne Stinneford, Barbara Paiton, Dianne Farnham, Lisa Drapeau, Debbie Smith, and Mary Druin to name a few of them. Please contact Barbara Paiton (585-2315) if you would like to join. They will be discussing their current book “The Pecan Man”. On Wednesday, May 20 Mystic Tie Lodge #154 meets at 7:30 p.m. in their meeting room upstairs in the Town Hall preceded by a supper this month.

The following is a letter that was read at the September 1997 meeting from Dorothy Hall Torres. It beautifully tells of the excitement, fun and good times that were had by her and many others at numerous Weld dances:

“Did you ever attend a Weld Masquerade Ball, go to a dance at the Pavilion, travel to Webb Corner to Grange dances? Weld had quite a reputation for its dances. “The most wonderful summer of my life happened sometime between 1953 and 1958–I’m not sure which one was best for they all were great!

“My family would pick up and leave Portland and head for Weld the day after school got out and we would stay until it was time for school to start again. We lived in the big old house across from the Weld Library.

“As a teenage girl, I couldn’t wait to get up to the mountains, the lake, the blueberries, the beach parties, ghost stories at Dexter’s camp, the Kawanhee boys…but most of all I couldn’t wait for the square dances at the Town Hall on Friday nights. I can see it all now… the lights with all kinds of moths flying around on the porch, Richard Scammon taking the tickets, Althea Lee selling those wonderful red hot dogs steamed in the old copper steamer and Rod Linnell “calling” the dances.

“Part of the fun of square dances was getting ready and dreaming about who would ask me to dance especially the slow dances (there were usually two slow dances a night). I wondered if anyone would swing me off my feet like Randy Stowell often did. Would my petticoats be stiff enough? I usually wore three and my mom would make sure that they didn’t need another dunk in sugar and water to stiffen them up. Should I add another row of rick-rack to my skirt and blouse?

“As it got closer to 8 p.m., you could feel the excitement everywhere. You never wanted to be late, no one went late. You didn’t want to miss a single dance. When Rod Linnell called the dances, you knew that you’d have fun. Marching Through Georgia was exciting but my favorite was Rod’s Reel or maybe Cheat.

“When Rod called out for the head couples to “cheat”, they ran all over the hall and danced with anyone and everyone. When Rod called for all the couples to cheat, every single person on the dance floor rushed off in all directions and grabbed anyone, some even went out on the porch and grabbed a partner. Everyone was swinging and swinging until Rod called for everyone to go back home. It was such fun, you never knew who you’d be swinging with next.

“Often the next dance would be a slow one. I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles was my favorite slow song. There were always one or two ladies choice dances.

“Then intermission came, much too quickly. The hot dog line was stretching all across the dance floor. The younger kids ran around in the parking lot. Some of the older teens might be smoking or necking in the parked cars. Finally the dance began again. By midnight, everyone was sweating and exhausted. Young and old danced until midnight, wanting the dance to never end.

“Friday nights made my summer. Life was sweet–it was easier then. Not much to trouble you. You might worry about whether or not you’d get a ride to Vespers Sunday night at Camp Kawanhee or would we climb Mt. Blue this weekend or next. They were wonderful summers for a teenager growing up in Weld in the 1950’s.”

The Editor of this Newsletter noted that Rand Stowell announced at the September meeting of the Historical Society, that he could still swing Dorothy off her feet.