For those of us in Maine (and Massachusetts) Monday, Oct. 9, is the Columbus Day holiday and probably the last weekend for leaf-peeping at peak color in our neck of the woods.

Maine Extension Homemakers Council Fall Meeting at the University of Maine Farmington is on Oct. 20-21, and a number of Weld Extension members will be attending at least on Friday, Oct. 21. They will go on orchard tours and learn the history of apples in Maine and the bees that pollinate the blossoms. There will be silent auction items and raffle baskets taking place around the good food served throughout the Friday and Saturday event.

Selectmen will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in Town Office/Post Office complex and their second meeting this month will be changed from Tuesday Oct. 24 to Monday Oct. 23 due to the School Budget Vote being held on Oct. 24 in the multi-purpose room in Town Office/Post Office complex.

The School Budget Meeting to answer any questions, is Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Gymnasium, Mt. Blue High School. The wording of the ballots for the vote will not be available until after this meeting so please make sure you understand what a “YES” and a “NO” vote mean BEFORE you pick up your ballot—once it is in your hands at the polls you CANNOT ask these questions!!

If you require an ABSENTEE BALLOT for the VOTE, if you meet the requirements, on the final RSU Budget voting on Oct. 24, they are available at the Weld Town Office: Thursday Oct. 12, Monday Oct. 16, Tuesday Oct. 17 and Thursday Oct. 19 during regular business hours. Or you may take it with you and mail it back— but, to be sure it arrives back at the Town Office on time to be counted.

It would be wise to take it to the Post Office, hand it directly to the postmistress and have her put it directly in the Town Mail!!! If it leaves town it may not be back in time for Thanksgiving! The Polls will be open from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24—be sure you have all your questions answered BEFORE you get your ballot!

Planning Board meets on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Town Office/Post Office complex. Weld Public Library Book Club meets at 7 p.m. at the Pirtle/Karasko residence on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and the scheduled book they will be discussing is “Being Mortal” by Atul Gawande. Mystic Tie Lodge #154 meets at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18 at their meeting room upstairs (lift available for those unable to climb the stairs) at the Town Hall.

I have included some photos of Edmund Hutchinson and friends Judy and Bruce Purdy with Mr. Hutchinson’s family’s 150 year old (approx.) cider press along with the apples awaiting pressing into the delightful fall beverage. They hope to make more next Saturday. If you want to participate, stop by after 1 p.m. and bring apples if you have a tree or “drops”.

The Veteran’s Day event that the Ladies of the Lake held last year was a huge success and those present expressed interest in having it again this year. But since we are a small organization we probably wouldn’t have a luncheon just desserts such as homemade pies, cakes, whoopie pies, brownies and beverages during a social time starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Entertainment at 2:30 or 3 p.m. will be open to the public!! If we can pull it together we’ll let you know in my next article Oct. 20!

Making cider has long been a Weld tradition. Pictured from left are Bruce and Judy Purdy with Edmund Hutchinson making cider in his cider press. The press is about 150 years old.

Cider pressing will take place at Edmund Hutchinson’s tomorrow after 1 p.m. Those wishing to join in should plan to bring apples or drops. Pictured from left are Bruce Purdy, Hutchinson and Judy Purdy during a recent pressing.

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