As I write this on the day after Christmas, I’m reminded of a friend who said the following to me around 1970, “There’s nothing so over as Christmas.” The remark came on a Christmas evening after all the festivities were over and there was no music on the car radio that you could label Christmas music. I didn’t think the remark was good at the time, but after years of Christmas Eves and Days, I find it’s true. The preparation and build-up are so great and then in 24 hours, it’s done. However, the memories can last a lifetime and hopefully, yours do. Now it’s time to think about that New Year’s resolution.

At long last, the ground here is decently covered by the white stuff we call snow, however, there’s not enough for the snowmobilers to be out and about. The silence of no machines running is profound.

The Ellis Pond Sidekicks’ latest newsletter includes pictures, courtesy of Ross Swain, of the triangular garden where Main Street and Route 120 intersect. The garden has been decorated for the Christmas season with a tree and a sign with the message season’s greetings.  This would have remained unknown to me if it hadn’t been for the pictures, since I don’t go that way in the winter because of a “crash” on the road in 1981 following a very small snow event in April. The Sidekicks report growth of membership has reached 1,134.

Applications for the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center summer program at Bryant Pond must be received by Dec. 30. Tuition for this program is $635 so you can see why scholarships are the way for helping young people have this great learning experience. Scholarship recipients will be able to choose between two programs: Natural Explorer Program or Fishing Camp. Ice-in date for this fall was Nov. 29 and has been reported to Lake Stewards of Maine. This group has a budget fundraising goal of $2,000 and, as of the newsletter date, they were more than halfway there. Want to help? Use either Ellis Pond Sidekicks Facebook or Ellis Pond Sidekicks GoFundMe.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Joan Stinson Carney. Joan was born and raised in Andover, attended schools here, lived “away” for a while, and returned. Upon returning, she served on the board of selectmen, and for some time wrote the Andover news in the Bethel Citizen. Sympathy is also extended to the family of Don Wardwell, a “fixture” at the Mills’ Market Liars’ Table, and a good friend to me. A graveside service will be held for Don in the spring at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Sympathy is also extended to the family of Sid Jones, who recently passed away. Sid was a veteran and also one of the charter members of the Liars’ table.

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