Upton July 15

OOPS! I have corrections to make. Piper and Seaver are Ginny Williamson's great-grandchildren. Their mom is Pamela Johnston and they all live in Tennessee, not Texas. Sorry.

Nancy Thew and Mr. Bub were down by their fish pond last week. Mr. Bub put his big ole nose against Nancy and pushed her into the fish pond. Can't you imagine her horse laughing to himself as she climbed out, soaking wet?

The theme for the parade for the Upton Fun day/Sesquicentennial celebration, to assist in your float entries, is “Life in Upton 150 years ago.” ... happy creating. Lineup for the parade will be at the junction of Route 26 and East B Hill at 9:30 a.m. Spectators will be the judges on the floats.

Entries for the pie-baking contest, the floral arrangement contest, and the photo contest need to be at the Ladies Aid Building on Aug. 21 between 8:30 and 9 a.m. for judging. All contests will have both an adult category and a children under 12 category. The photos need to be framed and matted. Floral arrangement entries will be dried or fresh arrangements. A DJ has been confirmed for a street dance, weather providing, on Saturday night. Plans are reaching completion, but there is plenty of time to offer suggestions and help─contact Carol Norman by e-mail at smilinggabby@yahoo.com or by calling her at 533-2028 for more info. Hopefully you and your family and friends have already put in a request (if needed) to have the day off so you can spend it in Upton!

Jennie Casper from California is visiting with her sister, Deborah Judkins.

We enjoyed a Saturday visit from Jeanne Abbott of East Sumner, her son, Seth, and his wife, Rachel.

Jes Bernier spent her second birthday at her grandparents' house, enjoying her cake and gifts while the  rest of the family enjoyed her.

Bob and Deb Thompson of Hampton, N.H., spent last week at their camp on Back Street. Deb said they actually thought of cutting their stay short because of the heat─not that the temperatures were lower in New Hampshire, but the opportunity to stay cool with fans and such were more available! They toughed it out though!

Shortly after I submitted my column last Monday, Bob called me from the vet's where he'd taken Tucker for minor surgery on his jaw. Tucker's X-rays revealed bone cancer in the last stages. We made the very difficult decision to have him euthanized, knowing that otherwise his last few days or weeks would have been spent in extreme pain. We appreciate the condolences we've received. He was so much more than “just a dog” to us.

I've been enjoying a book written by Glenn Wendell Starkley, published in 1920 entitled “Maine Its History, Resources and Government.” According to this book, an act passed in 1851 prohibiting the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors in any part of the state and was thus the first state to take such action. In 1884 prohibition was made part of the constitution. In 1911, a strong effort was made to change the constitution. Although the legislature voted in favor, it was defeated in a state-wide election. Finally, the whole nation followed suit and adopted the prohibition. Stated at the time of publishing: … the sale of intoxicants has never been legalized in the state.” This is one example of the well-known idiom “as Maine goes, so goes the nation.” Was Maine the first state to change the prohibition as well?

Hopefully you'll enjoy your week! Selah.