Locke's Mills

All the cemeteries in Greenwood, all 18 of them, will be getting signs come spring. For several years, town officials have wanted to put signs on our cemeteries and, as Town Manager Kim Sparks said, “we finally saved enough money to do that.” The signs are professionally done and look good. They'll spend their winter at the town office and, when the snow is gone and the ground has thawed, the town road crew will install them. Eighteen is a lot of cemeteries for a small town, although some of these are old family graveyards.

If you are wondering what is going on beside the town garage on the Greenwood Road, it is private timber harvesting.

Sympathy goes out to the family of Brad Barker who died last Friday. For many years he and his wife Judy owned and ran Bethel Auto Sales. It began with the sale of a few cars in his front yard and evolved to a good-sized business in West Bethel. Many of us bought used cars from them over the decades. Even after they sold the business, Brad still was an inveterate car shopper. Whenever I needed a “new” vehicle, I'd call him and ask if he wanted to spend the day car shopping with me in Lewiston. He always said yes. Both he and Judy were wonderful friends to my family. We'll miss you, Brad.

The Bethel Area District Exchange needs children's winter jackets and snowpants for all ages. If you have some your kids or grandkids have outgrown, please consider donating them to the District Exchange at Bethel Park off Mason Street. Drop boxes are available in the Northeast Bank lobby and at Cafe DiCocoa or you can bring them to the Exchange.

Lorraine Larson celebrated her 80th birthday quietly at her home, Friday, Dec.7. Those visiting the Larson home this past week were Pastor Justin Thacker of Praise Assembly of God, Owen and Debbie Brown, as well as three members of the Women's Ministry at Praise Assembly of God, Paula Kazarosian, Laura Chesley, and Crystal Lake.

Mt. Abram is scheduled to open for the season today, Dec. 20. They are among the many of us glad to see the recent dump of snow around here. Even if you don't participate in snow-based activities, the snow makes the days seem brighter and Christmas needs that white stuff. It makes roof landings much better for Santa.

Snow also makes our houses warmer. Remember the old practice of banking snow around the house? Shovel the snow and toss it around the foundation of the house so it makes a bank all the way up to the bottom clapboards. Keep adding to it each time it snows because the banking shrinks with the heat from the foundation. It helps keep the drafts out. Back in the time of stone foundations like some of our older homes have, banking snow around the foundation was a key part of keeping the cold winds from blowing through the foundation gaps. I'm not sure how many people still bank their houses. I do and know a few other Greenwood folks who do. Energy saving but it is also another reason to be outside messing around in the snow – imagining we are kids once again.

Happy holidays one and all.