Upton July 1

There's a huge beaver who has been living in the Umbagog Lake area at the bottom of Mill Hill for so long that folks have named him "Flappy". When Keona Bouchard saw him in the water, she excitedly exclaimed to her mom, "look at the seal". Flappy got Keona's seal of approval, even though he was a beaver.

Nancy Thew will be having horse manure to sell off and on throughout the summer at her home, "Northern Lights Farm", on Thistle Street. Nancy said she uses the money from the sales to buy food for Mister Bub - somehow that just seems to complete the cycle.

Nine members met at the Historical Society meeting last Thursday and discussed the displays for their "open house" and other roles in Upton's sesquicentennial celebration. On Sunday, July 11, after lunch, there will be a clean-up day to get the upstairs of the school house ready. All help in this endeavor will be welcomed. The next Historical Society meeting will be held on Thursday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the school. All correspondence, membership dues and forms should be sent to the Upton Historical Society, c/o Joe Bernier, 357 Back Street, Upton, ME 04261.

Philip MacDonald from Fawnskin, Calif., wrote in Bobby Thompson's journal "Awesome and beautiful. Like being in a painting with all your friends. A deathbed memory.”

On June 20, 2010, Gary Wright from Fredericksburg, Va., wrote that the area, the camp and the fireside chats make his visit an event he looks forward to all year.

The Planning Board met Friday night, but issued no permits. Their next meeting is Friday, July 30.

The next Selectmen meeting is Monday, July 5.

I hear that people are planning floats for the parade on August 21. I hope there are other floats being planned and will be entered that I haven't heard about! When's the last time there was a parade in Upton? Or, will this be a first in her 150 years?

Enjoy your Independence Day celebration. Selah