Happy Independence Day everyone, it doesn’t seem possible that it’s already the fourth of July. As I write this article during a rainy Sunday afternoon on June 28 I am not sure if the Library Pontoon rides had pleasant weather Friday evening or not but if so watch for the re-schedule date.

The Ladies of Lake are again having a Bake Sale this Saturday the 4th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or until sold out with pies, cookies, blueberry donuts, fudges and hopefully fresh strawberries. If the weather is showery we will still be there under my screen tent.

The Tumbledown Tackers are on summer break–no meetings in July and August. They will begin again the first Monday in September at noon in the multi-purpose room in the Town Office complex. The Fire Department meets at 7 p.m. the Fire Station on Tuesday, July 7. Selectmen meet at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Town Office complex on Tuesday, July 7.

The Planning Board meets at 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Town Office complex on Wednesday, July 8. The Weld Historical Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8 and the topic will be two of the more significant buildings in this town—the Weld Inn and Kawanhee Inn. They are both expansive and historic. Enrico Carouso and the Metropolitan Opera summered at the Weld Inn and the old oak ice buckets at the Kawanhee Inn (with updated cooling equipment) still chill beverages for eager guests. Be our guests as we discuss dining and lodging in Weld.

Ladies of the Lake meet at the Winter-Vining home Thursday, July 9 at 7 p.m. to finalize plans for two remaining food sales this summer, one at Lake Days July 18 and the other at Heritage Days July 25. Remember, if you would like to order baked goods we can make them for you to pick up. Call Martha at 585-2215 or Sharon at 585-2101.

Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the Congregational Church Ladies Aide is having their Bake Sale and popular Rada Cutlery and Stainless steel cooking utensil sale at the church. The Weld Public Library Story and Craft hour will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Library Tuesday, July 14.

The Weld Free Public Library is sponsoring a “Meet Weld Authors and Writers” book signing at 4:00 pm in the Kawanhee Inn Lounge on Wednesday, July 15. There will be approximately 13 authors and writers in attendance who have a connection to Weld.

The program consists of a guest panel in which each person will introduce themselves and give a “brief” description of their book, which will be available to buy and signed by the author. These books range from Weld stories and information for all ages to scientific books and global issues such as animal stories, climate change, wellness, diet, guitar and other stringed instruments and Weld history, art, wildlife and growing up in the area and even a cookbook. Come learn a little about their books from the authors and also purchase autographed copies, or bring your previously purchased copy to have it autographed.

The Webb Lake Association will be meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 in the multi-purpose room in the Town Office complex to nominate officers and make final preparations for Lake Day and the Fishing Derby on July 18.

Just to give you a heads up on the event Saturday, July 18, the day after my next article, is the first Loon Count of the season which begins at 6:30 a.m. from the end of Fire Lane 24 and Webb Lake Association Lake Days from is later that morning from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the big field at the head of the lake which includes music, craft & food vendors, helicopter rides, hot dogs, games, and home baked sweets.

From the Spring 1999 edition of The Weld Enterprise. A portion of “Lights, Camera, Action!”:

“Voters at this year’s Town Meeting gave the Weld Historical Society permission to renovate the projection booth located in the Town Hall. This project was particularly exciting for us as the doors to the projection booth had basically been closed and locked years ago.

“The two Simplex movie projectors had never been touched, played with or dismantled. All of the sound equipment and re-winding tables were all still in place. For the society, it was like opening a well preserved time capsule. Karen Sheldon from Northeast Historic Film in Bucksport, Maine, came to Weld one afternoon prior to the renovation and marveled at how complete the booth was.

“After doing some sorting and photographing of the room, our thoughts turned to how we could best display these wonderful old projectors to the many people who use the Town Hall each year. Wallace Tyler and Corey Hutchinson, owners of Hometown Handyman, worked closely with us in designing a space that would be historically accurate as well as viewable by the public. Harvey Ricker donated his expertise with the lighting of the booth.

“The glass shades that cover each of the four light fixtures were found in a wooden crate in the booth. The crate was addressed to Gertie Trask and the shades had never been out of their brown paper wrapping. In the course of cleaning the booth, we even found the instruction booklet for the care and maintenance of these projectors, built in 1914.

“Visitors entering the Town Hall now may look up and see the plexi-glass enclosed projection booth. The projectors look as though they are ready and able to be used once again. The belts, the bulbs and the giant turntables are all in place. All that is missing is a flickering reel of film…”