Newry June 24
Hello Newry and beyond, happy Thursday to you all. Last Thursday my youngest son, Benny turned three years old. We celebrated his birthday Friday, here at our house with friends and family. Benny’s Grammie and Grandpa Brooke, Auntie Amber, Uncle Bryan and cousin Maya all came. Plus his Grammie and Pappa Corriveau, Great Aunt Judy, her daughter Amber, Auntie Bethany, Uncle Eli, cousins Jakob, Octavia and Eliza and our friends Melissa, Big Gavin, Little Gavin and Jaiden. We had a wonderful time, plenty of food and a good man tending the grill. I marinated pork ribs that came from last year's pig that we had raised ourselves and I butchered, so I was rather curious as to how they’d come out. Luckily there were no complaints only yummy noises. This was the first time since Freeman and I were married, which was eleven years ago, that we had both sides of our family together at the same time. Our party was a success so we plan to have many more this summer and hopefully my “hostess” skills will improve with practice.
The kids and I were driving past Farmer’s the other day and noticed that there was fresh hay laying in nice neat rows in the field out behind the house. It was nice to see that Les was back in the saddle again. I ran into his daughter Amy, Saturday at a yard sale and talked for a minute. She told me that he had been out haying already, so soon after having his gall bladder removed. Patrick, Linda and her grandson, Logan, were all working in the field with Les to wrap the dried hay into round bales for the cows. I’ll wager that he doesn’t flinch much anymore at the sight of needles. What an amazing man!
Scott Berry and Doug dropped one of the large pine trees that sheltered the Bear River Trading Post. It must have been quite a sight, it was really tall and close to the road, the parking lot, gas pumps and the mailbox. The absence of the tree has left the parking area and store with a much airier open feel and a lot less pine needles to rake up. I wonder how many years it had stood there, maybe the kids and I will stop and try to count the rings. Turkey season closed June 5. The BRTP reported that they had 42 turkeys tagged there this 2010 season. Crow season starts Aug. 1; too bad that it didn’t start a bit sooner. I’ve heard that hanging a dead crow in your garden keeps them away. It looks a bit grotesque, watching their lifeless bodies swinging in the breeze but its better than the alternatives. I myself don’t practice this method but the crows around here are pretty fussy anyway. They seldom come around my corn patch, not even stopping to bother with my puny, diminutive four-inch ears. One should probably give up when year after year their corn only grows three feet tall but I don’t. I keep hoping that with a little more loving care that maybe, just maybe I might luck out. But in the meantime I do get plenty of practice hilling. Besides, Norman grows some really nice corn so I usually skip down to buy some from him.
We braved the thunderstorms on Father’s Day and spent a glorious wet and windy afternoon and evening swimming and catching fish, hand over fist. We took advantage of the free fishing day and were greatly rewarded. Everyone caught something, a chub, a couple pickerel and tons of yellow perch! We were slightly disappointed that the bass weren’t hungry but it did save me from stinking up my kitchen
Anyway, that’s all the news, that is news, that’s fit to print. Keep me posted with your news and events so that our column doesn’t dry up! Until next time, take a walk outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful area that we are so blessed to live in! sabcart@gmail.com or 824-0836