I have heard that there was a wonderful turnout for the annual Birthday Supper this year. Ross Swain was kind enough to share some pictures of the beautifully decorated tables and delicious cakes on the Andover, Maine Community Bulletin Board Facebook page. This is a great place to pop on and find out what is happening in our community.

Get ready for the annual goat/kid cuddling event at Moon Dance Farm. Reservations are required: Saturday, May 16 & 24. Reserve your 30-minute session to cuddle the adorable goat kids. $9 per person or a family for $25 (children under 2 years old are free). Currently booking from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine. Please wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for safety. And bring your camera. 660 South Main St., Andover, Me. Also booking limited private sessions – inquire by text 357-8909. Just an FYI, you can’t cuddle a goat kid without smiling. Yours truly will be there giving a hand on the 24th.

As of May 9, Sharon Hutchins has received funds for 87 flags with more to come. Such an outstanding achievement, the response has been phenomenal. Thanks to Sharon and friends for making this possible. I can’t wait until the streets are lined with flags. The goal is to have the flags in place by Memorial Day and let them fly until Labor Day. Sharon stopped by my house to share the list of names that have purchased flags and the people who will be represented by them.

I will list some of the names here and follow up with the remainder in my next column. Linda Beaudoin in memory of Mark Beaudoin, Dan & Judy Fish in memory of Alfred Fish & Bernard Johnson, Otis Morton Jr. in memory of Otis Morton, George Lozier & Lana Fyrberg in memory of Leo Lozier & Paul Nevel., The Rainey Family in memory of Ron Wells, Ed Dodson in memory of Shirley Wygant, Mary Cloutier in memory of George & Sylvia Noyes, Earl Cole Jr. in memory of Earl Cole Sr., John & Eva Coolidge in memory of Elmer Elliot & Clyde Elliot, Wanda Coolidge in memory of Arthur Whitten, David Holtzman in memory of Ernest & Kathleen Holtzman and Charles & Helen, Peter and Denise Hurd in memory of Jerry Desjardin.

Also, Claire Sessions in memory of Moe Gagnon, Rebecca Wilson in memory of Ed & Carolyn Lindsay, Jean Shaw in honor of Alston Roberts and in memory of Colby Roberts, John Cuff in memory of Robert (Bobby) Cuff, Marshall Meisner in memory of Vickie Meisner,  Pete & Belinda Poor in memory of Archer Poor & Alden Briggs, Bill McPherson in memory of Dottie McPherson & Dan McPherson, Heidi Bean in memory of Roland & Judy Fyrberg & Sons, Marilyn White in memory of Roland and Matthew White, Bev Swan in memory of Willian and Roger Swan and Clyde Wardwell in memory of Don & Nancy Wardwell.

Also, anonymous in memory of Dick Plantier, Dee & Bob Nadeau in honor of Ken Field: in memory of Sue Field & Linda Jodrey, Jim Coolidge in memory of Red Coolidge, Sharon Hutchins in memory of Ken Dixon. That is quite a list with more to come. Sharon is still accepting donations. You may mail $49.50 (this covers the flag, the pole, and pole mount) to: Sharon Hutchins, PO Box 126, Andover ME 04216. You can also drop off donations at Martin’s Garage, 48 South Main Street in Andover. Please make sure to include the name that the flag is in honor of/memory of.

I’m still getting used to this column being every other week. Some dates that escaped me last time were Mother’s Day on the 11th. I hope all the moms out there enjoyed their special day. My dear sweet dad turned 88 on the 13th. Happy belated birthday, Dad…I love you. We are traveling to Saco and Biddeford today to celebrate with family.

After searching, I was able to find some laying hens. Bob and I will have to take a road trip to Corinna in mid-June to pick up 8 buff orpington pullets. We will have a baker’s dozen after they arrive. With all the money we have put into this chicken raising life, I am in hopes that at least one will start laying golden eggs.

The Andover Elementary School will be holding a district budget meeting at the school on Wednesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. This will be a public vote (show of hands) on budget figures that will be presented to the voters of Andover in June.

The town of Andover is now taking applications for an opening in the Highway Department. For more information, please visit andovermaine.gov or stop by the Town Office, 17 Stillman Road, for an application. If you have any news or events, please email me at [email protected]. The next deadline will be May 23.